Analysis of pyrethroids in air using commercial XAD sampling cartridges and gas chromatography

Abstract

Pyrethroids are synthetic esters used commercially as pesticides. They are readily available as active components of numerous over-the-counter products for control of household pests mainly formulated as sprays (aerosols), powders and for application via electro-evaporators. The potential for toxic effects in humans from inhalation of these pesticides is therefore great and there is need to develop methods of determination of indoor post-application concentration of the pyrethroids in air. A gas liquid chromatographic (GLC) method was used for the analysis of bioallethrin, permethrin, cypermethrin and deltamethrin in air. This method involved sampling of 1 m3 of air by adsorption of the analytes onto XAD sampling cartridges. Analytes were extracted with ethyl acetate and analyzed by gas chromatography with electron capture detection. The desorption/extraction efficiency (EE) was determined using fortification of known quantities of analytes (5-50 ng) and recovery ranged from 81% to 97%. The upper and lower limits of quantification (LOQ) were determined to be 4.5 ng/m3 and 45 ng/m3 respectively. This method is easily transferable to other pyrethroids or other volatile substances that are amenable to chromatography with selective detection.