The impact of wipe sampling variables on method performance associated with indoor pesticide misuse and highly contaminated areas

• Published in: The Science of the total environment 2019-03, Vol.655, p.539-546
• Main Authors: Willison, Stuart A., Daniel Stout, I.I., Mysz, Amy, Starr, James, Tabor, Dennis, Wyrzykowska-Ceradini, Barbara, Nardin, Josh, Morris, Eric, Snyder, Emily Gibb
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Air Pollutants - analysis; Air Pollution, Indoor - analysis; Environmental Monitoring - methods; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Housing - standards; Indoor areas; Misuse; Pesticide Residues - analysis; Pesticides; Sampling strategies; Solvents - chemistry; Specimen Handling - methods; Surface Properties; Wipe sampling
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.11.128

Pesticide misuse incidents in residential indoor areas are typically associated with misapplications that are inconsistent with the label directions of the product. Surface wipe sampling and analysis procedures are relied upon to evaluate the extent of indoor contamination and the remediation efforts successfully. In general, surface wipe sampling procedures are widely varied, which can complicate the comparison of the results and data interpretation. Wipe sampling parameters were studied for the insecticides malathion and carbaryl. The parameters evaluated include wipe media, wetting solvents, composite sampling, surface concentration, and the influence of differing product formulations. Porous and nonporous surfaces tested include vinyl tile, plywood and painted drywall (porous/permeable) and stainless steel and glass (nonporous/impermeable). Specific wipe materials included pre-packaged sterile-cotton gauze, pre-cleaned cotton twill, cotton balls, and a pre-packaged, pre-wetted wipe. Commercially available insecticide formulations were tested, and the results were compared to surfaces fortified with neat analytes to determine surface recovery results (efficiency). A sampling procedure to measure pesticide residues was developed, and variables associated with the sampling methods were evaluated to clarify how estimations of surface residues are impacted. Malathion recoveries were 73–86% for twill and pre-wetted, pre-packaged isopropanol wipes on nonporous materials. Malathion formulations ranged from 78 to 124% for pre-wetted, pre-packaged isopropanol wipes and cotton gauze wipes on nonporous materials. Carbaryl and carbaryl formulation recoveries were 82–115% and 77–110%, respectively, on nonporous surfaces for all tested wipe materials. While not every wipe sampling variable could be tested, the collected information from this study may be useful and applied to sampling plans for classes of chemicals with similar physicochemical properties. [Display omitted] •Pesticide contamination poses health exposure risks to responders and public.•Results are hard to compare and interpret if multiple sampling procedures are used.•Wipe media and wipe wetting solvents affect recovery results.•High concentrations and technical formulations did not affect wipe recovery results.•Composite sampling improves recoveries for less compatible solvents and wipe media.