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 greenhou se agricultural workers using whole body dosimetry. The validation of the m ethodology has been established following standards requirements, performan ce parameters such as limits of detection and quantification, linear ranges , recovery rates and precision were determined. The matrix effect in the qu antification and recovery steps and the spiking procedure has been consider ed. 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 co ntrol criteria have been established for checking that in routine analyses all data are under statistical control. Finally the methodology has been ap plied to assess the potential and actual dermal exposure of two applicators and their assistants after greenhouse application to chlorpyrifos-methyl a nd 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 r eserved.