Tobias Weiß, PhD

Senior Research Scientist

Centre of Toxicology

Education

Ph.D., Chemistry and Occupational Toxicology, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen, Germany, 2005

Research

The primary objective of my research is Biological Monitoring of the internal dose and the effective dose after exposure to various chemicals at the workplace and via the environment. Particular focus is on the development of validated and quality controlled analytical methods for the determination of hazardous substances, their metabolites or their interaction products with macromolecules in blood and urine samples of humans. Methods are mainly based on gas chromatography and (tandem) mass spectrometry, high performance liquid chromatography as well as atomic absorption spectroscopy. In particular, compounds of interest are aromatic amines (e.g. aniline, o-toluidine, β-naphthylamine and 4-aminobiphenyl, etc.), aromatic nitro compounds (e.g. 2,4- and 2,6-dinitrotoluene and 2,4,6-trinitritoluene, etc.), metals as well as metal species and - in general - alkylating agents. The overall aim is to study associations between exposures to chemicals and biological effects in humans to provide data for human risk assessment and retrospective evaluation of occupationally caused diseases.

Memberships

  • Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG): "Analyses of Hazardous Substances in Biological Materials" (AiBM-Group); Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area
  • Secretary, Working Group "Occupational Medicine" of the "Committee on Hazardous Substances" (AGS) of the Federal Ministry of Work and Labour
  • International Social Security Association (ISAA): Working Group "Hazardous Compounds", International Section of the ISAA for the Prevention of Occupational Risks in the Chemical Industry
  • German Society of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (DGAUM)
  • Franz-Koelsch-Stiftung

Selected Publications

 

  • Hovanec J, Weiß T, Koch H, Pesch B, Behrens T, Kendzia B, Arendt M, Dragano N, Moebus S, Schmidt B, Brüning T, Jöckel KH. Smoking and urinary cotinine by socioeconomic status in the Heinz Nixdorf Recall Study. J Epidemiol Community Health. 2019; 73: 489-495
  • Ulrich N, Bury D, Koch HM, Rüther M, Weber T, Käfferlein HU, Weiß T, Brüning T, Kolossa-Gehring M. Metabolites of the alkyl pyrrolidone solvents NMP and NEP in 24-h urine samples of the German Environmental Specimen Bank from 1991 to 2014. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 2018; 91: 1073-1082
  • Casjens S, Pesch B, van Thriel C, Zschiesche W, Behrens T, Weiß T, Pallapies D, Arendt M, Dragano N, Moebus S, Jöckel KH, Brüning T. Associations between blood lead, olfaction and fine-motor skills in elderly men: Results from the Heinz Nixdorf Recall Study. Neurotoxicology. 2018; 68: 66-7
  • Pesch B, Lehnert M, Weiß T, Kendzia B, Menne E, Lotz A, Heinze E, Behrens T, Gabriel S, Schneider W, Brüning T. Exposure to hexavalent chromium in welders: Results of the WELDOX II field study. Ann Work Expo Health. 2018; 62: 351-361
  • Monsé C, Hagemeyer O, Raulf M, Jettkant B, van Kampen V, Kendzia B, Gering V, Kappert G, Weiß T, Ulrich N, Marek EM, Bünger J, Brüning T, Merget R. Concentration-dependent systemic response after inhalation of nano-sized zinc oxide particles in human volunteers. Part Fibre Toxicol. 2018; 15: 8
  • Lessmann F, Bury D, Weiß T, Hayen H, Brüning T, Koch HM. De-novo identification of specific exposure biomarkers of the alternative plasticizer di(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate (DEHTP) after low oral dosage to male volunteers by HPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS. Biomarkers. 2018; 23: 196-206
  • Pesch B, Casjens S, Weiß T, Kendzia B, Arendt M, Eisele L, Behrens T, Ulrich N, Pundt N, Marr A, Robens S, Van Thriel C, Van Gelder R, Aschner M, Moebus S, Dragano N, Brüning T, Jöckel KH. Occupational Exposure to Manganese and Fine Motor Skills in Elderly Men: Results from the Heinz Nixdorf Recall Study. Ann Work Expo Health. 2017; 61: 1118-1131
  • Kendzia B, Van Gelder R, Schwank T, Hagemann C, Zschiesche W, Behrens T, Weiß T, Brüning T, Pesch B. Occupational Exposure to Inhalable Manganese at German Workplaces. Ann Work Expo Health. 2017; 61: 1108-1117
  • Marek EM, Koslitz S, Weiß T, Fartasch M, Schlüter G, Käfferlein HU, Brüning T. Quantification of N-phenyl-2-naphthylamine by gas chromatography and isotope-dilution mass spectrometry and its percutaneous absorption ex vivo under workplace conditions. Arch Toxicol 2017; 91: 3587-3596
  • Pesch B, Dydak U, Lotz A, Casjens S, Quetscher C, Lehnert M, Abramowski J, Stewig C, Yeh CL, Weiß T, van Thriel C, Herrmann L, Muhlack S, Woitalla D, Glaubitz B, Schmidt-Wilcke T, Brüning T. Association of exposure to manganese and iron with relaxation rates R1 and R2*- magnetic resonance imaging results from the WELDOX II study. Neurotoxicology 2018; 64: 68-77
  • Bonberg N, Pesch B, Ulrich N, Moebus S, Eisele L, Marr A, Arendt M, Jöckel KH, Brüning T, Weiß T.The distribution of blood concentrations of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr) and manganese (Mn) in residents of the German Ruhr area and its potential association with occupational exposure in metal industry and/or other risk factors. Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2017; 220: 998-1005
  • van Thriel C, Quetscher C, Pesch B, Lotz A, Lehnert M, Casjens S, Weiß T, Van Gelder R, Plitzke K, Brüning T, Beste C; WELDOX II Study Group. Are multitasking abilities impaired in welders exposed to manganese? Translating cognitive neuroscience to neurotoxicology. Arch Toxicol 2017; 91: 2865-2877
  • Kendzia B, Pesch B, Koppisch D, Van Gelder R, Pitzke K, Zschiesche W, Behrens T, Weiß T, Siemiatycki J, Lavoué J, Jöckel KH, Stamm R, Brüning T. Modelling of occupational exposure to inhalable nickel compounds. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol. 2017; 27: 427-433
  • Raulf M, Weiß T, Lotz A, Lehnert M, Hoffmeyer F, Liebers V, Van Gelder R, Udo Käfferlein H, Hartwig A, Pesch B, Brüning T.Analysis of inflammatory markers and metals in nasal lavage fluid of welders. J Toxicol Environ Health A 2016; 79: 1144-1157
  • Casjens S, Pesch B, Robens S, Kendzia B, Behrens T, Weiß T, Ulrich N, Arendt M, Eisele L, Pundt N, Marr A, van Thriel C, Van Gelder R, Aschner M, Moebus S, Dragano N, Jöckel KH, Brüning T. Associations between former exposure to manganese and olfaction in an elderly population: Results from the Heinz Nixdorf Recall Study. Neurotoxicology. 2017; 58: 58-65
  • Modick H, Weiß T, Dierkes G, Koslitz S, Käfferlein HU, Brüning T, Koch HM. Human metabolism and excretion kinetics of aniline after a single oral dose. Arch Toxicol. 2016; 90: 1325-33
  • Lessmann F, Schütze A, Weiß T, Brüning T, Koch HM. Determination of metabolites of di(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate (DEHTP) in human urine by HPLC-MS/MS with on-line clean-up. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2016; 1011: 196-203
  • Lessmann F, Schütze A, Weiß T, Langsch A, Otter R, Brüning T, Koch HM. Metabolism and urinary excretion kinetics of di(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate (DEHTP) in three male volunteers after oral dosage. Arch Toxicol. 2016l; 90: 1659-67
  • Pesch B, Kendzia B, Hauptmann K, Van Gelder R, Stamm R, Hahn JU, Zschiesche W, Behrens T, Weiß T, Siemiatycki J, Lavoué J, Jöckel KH, Brüning T. Airborne exposure to inhalable hexavalent chromium in welders and other occupations: Estimates from the German MEGA database. Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2015; 218: 500-6
  • Pesch B, Lotz A, Koch HM, Marczynski B, Casjens S, Käfferlein HU, Welge P, Lehnert M, Heinze E, Van Gelder R, Hahn JU, Behrens T, Raulf M, Hartwig A, Weiß T, Brüning T.Oxidatively damaged guanosine in white blood cells and in urine of welders: associations with exposure to welding fumes and body iron stores. Arch Toxicol. 2015; 89: 1257-69
  • Lehnert M, Hoffmeyer F, Gawrych K, Lotz A, Heinze E, Berresheim H, Merget R, Harth V, Van Gelder R, Hahn JU, Hartwig A, Weiß T, Pesch B, Brüning T; WELDOX Study Group. Effects of Exposure to Welding Fume on Lung Function: Results from the German WELDOX Study. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2015; 834: 1-13
  • Casjens S, Henry J, Rihs HP, Lehnert M, Raulf-Heimsoth M, Welge P, Lotz A, Gelder RV, Hahn JU, Stiegler H, Eisele L, Weiß T, Hartwig A, Brüning T, Pesch B. Influence of welding fume on systemic iron status. Ann Occup Hyg. 2014; 58: 1143-54
  • Koslitz S, Meier S, Schindler BK, Weiß T, Koch HM, Brüning T, Käfferlein HU. Biomonitoring of N-ethyl-2-pyrrolidone in automobile varnishers. Toxicol Lett. 2014; 231: 142-6
  • Dierkes G, Weiß T, Modick H, Käfferlein HU, Brüning T, Koch HM.N-Acetyl-4-aminophenol (paracetamol), N-acetyl-2-aminophenol and acetanilide in urine samples from the general population, individuals exposed to aniline and paracetamol users. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2014; 217: 592-9
  • Käfferlein HU, Broding HC, Bünger J, Jettkant B, Koslitz S, Lehnert M, Marek EM, Blaszkewicz M, Monsé C, Weiß T, Brüning T. Human exposure to airborne aniline and formation of methemoglobin: a contribution to occupational exposure limits. Arch Toxicol. 2014; 88: 1419-2
  • Koch HM, Bader M, Weiß T, Koslitz S, Schütze A, Käfferlein HU, Brüning T. Metabolism and elimination of N-ethyl-2-pyrrolidone (NEP) in human males after oral dosage. Arch Toxicol. 2014; 88: 893-899
  • Lehnert M, Weiß T, Pesch B, Lotz A, Zilch-Schöneweis S, Heinze E, Van Gelder R, Hahn JU, Brüning T; WELDOX Study Group.Reduction in welding fume and metal exposure of stainless steel welders: an example from the WELDOX study. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 2014; 87: 483-92
  • Modick H, Weiß T, Dierkes G, Brüning T, Koch HM. Ubiquitous presence of paracetamol in human urine: sources and implications. Reproduction. 2014; 147: R105-17
  • Schindler BK, Koslitz S, Weiß T, Broding HC, Brüning T, Bünger J. Exposure of aircraft maintenance technicians to organophosphates from hydraulic fluids and turbine oils: a pilot study. Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2014; 217: 34-7
  • Pesch B, Gawrych K, Rabstein S, Weiß T, Casjens S, Rihs HP, ..., Brüning T, Vineis P.N-acetyltransferase 2 phenotype, occupation, and bladder cancer risk: results from the EPIC cohort. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2013; 22: 2055-65
  • Modick H, Schütze A, Pälmke C, Weiß T, Brüning T, Koch HM. Rapid determination of N-acetyl-4-aminophenol (paracetamol) in urine by tandem mass spectrometry coupled with on-line clean-up by two dimensional turbulent flow/reversed phase liquid chromatography. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci. 2013; 925: 33-9
  • Weiß T, Bolt HM, Schlüter G, Koslitz S, Taeger D, Welge P, Brüning T. Metabolic dephenylation of the rubber antioxidant N-phenyl-2-naphthylamine to carcinogenic 2-naphthylamine in rats. Arch Toxicol. 2013; 87: 1265-7
  • Schettgen T, Kütting B, Hornig M, Beckmann MW, Weiß T, Drexler H, Angerer J (2004) Trans-placental exposure of neonates to acrylamide - a pilot study. Int. Arch. Occup. Environ. Health 77: 213-216
  • Krause G, Scherer G,. Müller M, Weiß T (2004) The polymerase chain reaction and its application in occupational and environmental medicine. In: Angerer J, Müller M (eds.): Analysis of Hazardous Substances in Biological Materials, Vol. 9. Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, 35-65
  • Schettgen T, Weiß T, Drexler H, Angerer J (2003) A first approach to estimate the internal exposure to acrylamide in smoking and non-smoking adults from Germany. Int. J. Hyg. Environ. Health 206: 9-14
  • Hoppe HW, Weiß T (2003) Organochlorine compounds in whole blood and plasma. In: J. Angerer and K.-H. Schaller (eds): Analysis of Hazardous Substances in Biological Materials, Vol. 8. Wiley-VCH, Weinheim
  • Weiß T, Angerer J (2002) Simultaneous determination of various aromatic amines and metabolites of aromatic nitro compounds in urine for low level exposure using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. J. Chromatogr. B 778: 179-192
  • Gonzalez-Reche LM, Koch HM, Weiß T, Müller J, Drexler H, Angerer J (2002) Analysis of ethenoguanine adducts in human urine using high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Toxicol. Lett. 134: 71-77
  • Schettgen T, Weiß T, Angerer J (2001) Biological monitoring of phenmedipham: determination of m-toluidine in urine. Arch. Toxicol. 75: 145-119
  • Weiß T, Hardt J, Angerer J (1999) Determination of urinary 2-thiazolidinethione-4-carboxylic acid after exposure to alkylene bisdithiocarbamates using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. J. Chromatogr. B 726: 85-94

Languages:

German, English, French