HANDWIPE SAMPLING AND ANALYSIS PROCEDURE FOR THE MEASUREMENT OF DERMAL CONTACT WITH PESTICIDES

A handwipe sampling and analysis procedure was developed for the measu rement of dermal contact to pesticides. This procedure utilizes cellul ose dressing sponges wetted with 2-propanol. A two-step wiping procedu re is described that ensures that the entire hand is sampled. Removal efficiency experiments show that dry residues of the pesticides chlorp yrifos and pyrethrin I are quantitatively removed from hands immediate ly following contact. Results suggest that the procedure may remove pe sticide residues that are deeply embedded in the skin and not removed by soap-and-water washing. Extraction efficiency studies for 29 other pesticides show that the proposed extraction method may be applicable for a wide range of pesticides including phenoxy-acid herbicides. Fiel d testing of the procedure indicates that it is easily implemented by sampling personnel and readily accepted by children.