Gas chromatographic method and whole body dosimetry for assessing dermal exposure of greenhouse applicators to chlorpyrifos-methyl and fenitrothion

An analytical method has been developed in order to determine potential and actual dermal exposure to chlorpyrifos-methyl and fenitrothion of greenhouse agricultural workers using whole body dosimetry. The validation of the methodology has been established following standards requirements, performance parameters such as limits of detection and quantification, linear ranges, recovery rates and precision were determined. The matrix effect in the quantification and recovery steps and the spiking procedure has been considered. A field sampling strategy has been developed including a procedure for collecting samples, which included field spikes and field blanks to ensure the stability of samples during transport, storage and analysis. Quality control criteria have been established for checking that in routine analyses all data are under statistical control. Finally the methodology has been applied to assess the potential and actual dermal exposure of two applicators and their assistants after greenhouse application to chlorpyrifos-methyl and fenitrothion founding total dermal exposure levels close to 63 and 60 ml/h, respectively, in the case of applicators and ranging between 13 and 20 ml/h in the case of assistants. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.