DETERMINATION OF CHLORPYRIFOS IN AIR, LEAVES AND SOIL FROM A GREENHOUSE BY GAS-CHROMATOGRAPHY WITH NITROGEN-PHOSPHORUS DETECTION, HIGH-PERFORMANCE LIQUID-CHROMATOGRAPHY AND CAPILLARY-ELECTROPHORESIS

Chlorpyrifos was determined in air, leaves and soil in a greenhouse in order to establish performance differences between gas-chromatography with nitrogen-phosphorus detection (GC-NPD) and high-performance liqu id chromatographic and capillary electrophoretic methods and to assess the farm workers' risk of overexposure due to air exposure and/or ski n contact with this compound. Results obtained indicate that the three analytical techniques, with the specific procedures described, can be used, although only GC-NPD provides an operative limit of detection i n air. Chlorpyrifos levels in air are dependent on time and greenhouse ventilation, whereas it remains for a long time on leaf surfaces and soil. As a consequence, specific instructions can be established for f arm workers in order to avoid skin and respiratory exposure to chlorpy rifos. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.