Analytical method for assessing potential dermal exposure to Captan using whole body dosimetry, in small vegetable production units in Argentina

. ENRIQUE A. HUGHES, ANITA ZALTS, JAVIER J. OJEDA, ANDREA P. FLORES, RICHARD C. GLASS Y JAVIER M. MONTSERRAT

PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE

John Wiley and Sons

Lugar: London, New York; Año: 2006 vol. 62 p. 811 - 818

1526-498X

An analytical method has been developed which can be used to determine the potential dermal exposure (PDE) of workers to the pesticide captan in small scale horticultural production units. The methodology is based on the Whole Body Dosimetry technique, using a cotton coverall and cotton gloves as sampling media, with protective clothing worn beneath the cotton media to protect the operator. The quantitative determination of captan was done by GC-ECD (Gas Chromatography-Electron Capture Detector), with the analytical method validated by measuring limits of detection and quantification, linear ranges, sample recuperation and precision. Special emphasis is placed on factors that affected captan’s stability during chromatographic determination . The data generated for potential dermal exposure are presented separately for mixing/loading and application activities. These data are compared with values obtained with visible tracers using a similar field technique. Margin of Safety (MOS) values are also calculated for the agricultural procedures studied. Key words: captan, potential dermal exposure, periurban agriculture, GC-ECD. captan, potential dermal exposure, periurban agriculture, GC-ECD.