The urine samples collected were processed in the laboratory of theVlaamse Instelling voor Technologisch Onderzoek in Mol. The illustration hereunder indicates how the urine samples were spread. The hair samples were kept at room temperature. The urine samples were frozen at -20°C after being spread and brought to the labs. The surplus were kept in freezers at temperature of -80°C. They will be stored there for 10 years, in a so-calledbiobank.
Urine samples were collected from a total of 258 participants. For each individual, 5 tubes were filled for lab analysis. If there was an excess of urine, 6 extra tubes were filled for storage in the biobank. This resulted in almost 2500 tubes, among which about 1500 were stored for a longer period should it be decided later thatextra analyses of pollutants should possibly be carried out.
Illustration: overview of the spreading and storage of the urine samples. Phataltes, bisphenol A, triclosan (TC, cadmium (Cd), CRT (creatinine) and cotinine (COT) levels are specified in the urine of each individual.