Validation of an air monitoring method for the determination of residues of fluquinconazole - A standardised approach

Analytical methods are required by the EU Registration Directive 91/414 for monitoring the potential exposure of operators, workers and bystanders to pesticide residues in air (gas, vapours and particulates) in the workplace. A standard approach involves drawing air through a pre-packed adsorbent ca rtridge under 2 different climatic (temperature and humidity) conditions, f ollowed by extraction and chromatographic quantification. Validation of suc h methods must demonstrate satisfactory extraction of residues from the ads orbent as well as stability under various storage conditions. The current g uidelines state that the method should be capable of at least determining r esidues at the "acceptable minimum concentration", C, and ideally at 1/10(t h) of C, derived from the Acceptable Daily Intake and inhalation rates. Thi s presentation outlines the validation procedures adopted as a standard for the determination of the fungicide fluquinconazole in air and describes th e use of a climatic chamber to regulate temperature and humidity conditions .