Analysis of pesticide gas cartridges

Charcoal and sodium nitrate, the active ingredients in pesticide gas cartri dges, are quantified via carbon analysis and ion chromatography, respective ly. Linearity was excellent (R-2 > 0.995) over a range consisting of 50-150 % of the target concentration for both ingredients. The coefficient of vari ation for the replicate analyses of gas cartridges over multiple days was < 4% for both analytes. Using the results from the analysis of two batches of gas cartridges, theoretical populations were modeled and used to determine practical sampling strategies to support a quality control program for a g as cartridge manufacturing operation. This modeling indicates that the anal ysis of three cartridges from each of five different lots would produce mea n values for both active ingredients that are within 5% of the true mean > 99% of the time.