Development of a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method for the determination of household insecticides in indoor air

Evaluation of field resistance in field-collected mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus Say through quantification of ULV permethrin/PBO formulation in field bioassays

BACKGROUND

Pyrethroids are among the most applied adulticides worldwide to control mosquito vectors for prevention of arboviral diseases transmission. However, pesticide resistance development in a mosquito population could lead to decreased control efficacy. While most studies investigate the resistant genotype (i.e. kdr, CYP450, etc.) as explanatory variables, few field efficacy studies have measured pesticide quantities deposited at different distances from the sprayer in association with observed mosquito mortality. The current study determined field delivered amounts of an applied ULV permethrin/PBO formulation (31% permethrin + 66% piperonyl butoxide) by GC/MS and estimated practical resistance ratios using caged mosquito females.

RESULTS

For field samples, the extraction method recovered 78 ± 3.92-108 ± 8.97% of the permethrin/PBO formulation when utilizing the peaks of PBO from GC/MS to estimate the concentrations of adulticide deposited near the mosquito cages. The field bioassay showed that the spatial distribution of permethrin/PBO formulation was heterogeneous among three pseudo-replicates within the same distance. Within the quantifiable permethrin/PBO range of 15.7-51.4 ng/cm2 , field-collected mosquito mortalities started at 64% and linearly increased reaching 100% only in two areas, while all Sebring susceptible mosquitoes died. The field LC95 resistance ratio (RR) of F0 Cx. quinquefasciatus ranged from 2.65-3.51, falling within the 95% CI of RR95 estimated by laboratory vial assays. Tests with and without PBO indicated P450's enzymes contributed to field resistance.

CONCLUSION

Results showed the suitability of the collection and quantification method to estimate the field resistance ratio at the applied pesticide rate. Pesticide quantification would also allow the association of the known frequencies of resistance mechanisms (e.g. kdr, CYP450) with field mortalities to estimate the resistance level conferred by such mechanisms. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Demonstration that methadone is being present in the exhaled breath aerosol fraction

Methadone has previously been found present in exhaled breath of methadone treated patients. This study aimed at studying if methadone is present in the aerosol fraction of exhaled breath and used different filter sampling techniques for that. Patients receiving methadone maintenance treatment were recruited for the study. Methadone was extracted from filters collecting methadone from exhaled breath using 2-propanol, methanol and ethyl acetate and measured using liquid-chromatography-tandem mass-spectrometry. The limit of quantification was 5 pg/sample and the intra-day imprecision and accuracy within 15%. The recovery of extracting methadone from filters was >90%. Two types of micro-particle filters were used in this study and were compared with the C18 silica filter (Empore) used before. The Glass fiber filter collected methadone from exhaled breath of methadone patients. The amount collected significantly exceeded the amount using the C18 Empore filter (3.6-14-fold), but the variability of amount trapped was large. The second filter type was a polymer filter. Also this filter was able to trap methadone from exhaled breath of methadone patients. The amount and variability was similar to the C18 Empore filter but smaller than the Glass fiber filter. The mean rate of methadone excretion measured with the best polymer filter was 92 pg/min with a range between 20 and 287 (n=5). The polymer filter has the practical advantage of having a low flow resistance making it possible to sample without pumping assistance. The polymer filter was found to collect >90% of the exhaled methadone. The conclusion of this study was that methadone in exhaled breath is carried in the aerosol fraction known to be formed in the lung as a result of normal breathing.

Analysis, occurrence, and toxic potential of pyrethroids, and fipronil in sediments from an urban estuary

Eight pyrethroids and fipronil and its three major degradates were analyzed in urban estuarine sediments that exhibited a range of toxic effects to an amphipod test species. Sediments from Ballona Creek, an urban estuary in Southern California (USA), collected during three dry season events were analyzed by gas chromatography with electron capture and negative chemical ionization mass spectrometric detection (GC-ECD and GC-NCI-MS). The two detection methods were in agreement for intermediate levels of pyrethroid contamination (10-50 ng/g dry wt) but deviated for both low and high concentrations (< 5 and > 50 ng/g). Sediments contained total pyrethroids as high as 473 ng/g with permethrin, bifenthrin, and cypermethrin as the most abundant compounds. In contrast, fipronil and its desulfinyl, sulfide, and sulfone degradates were detected at much lower levels (<or= 0.18-16 ng/g). Toxic units estimated for these compounds revealed that bifenthrin and cypermethrin were likely contributors to the mortality observed in tests with the estuarine amphipod Eohaustorius estuarius. Although fipronil was not a likely contributor to the observed mortality, the concentrations detected may be of concern for more sensitive crustacean species. Furthermore, the spatial pattern of pyrethroid contamination and potential toxicity was highly correlated with fine-grained substrate, which shifted to downstream stations within a three-month period during the dry season.

Comparison of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry with electron ionization and negative-ion chemical ionization for analyses of pesticides at trace levels in atmospheric samples

A comparison of detection limits of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) in selected ion monitoring (SIM) with gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) in selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode with both electron ionization (EI) and negative-ion chemical ionization (NCI) are presented for over 50 pesticides ranging from organochlorines (OCs), organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) and pre-emergent herbicides used in the Canadian prairies (triallate, trifluralin, ethalfluralin). The developed GC-EI/SIM, GC-NCI/SIM, and GC-NCI/SRM are suitable for the determination of pesticides in air sample extracts at concentrations <100 pg μL⁻¹ (<100 pg m⁻³ in air). No one method could be used to analyze the range of pre-emergent herbicides, OPs, and OCs investigated. In general GC-NCI/SIM provided the lowest method detection limits (MDLs commonly 2.5–10 pg μL⁻¹) along with best confirmation (<25% RSD of ion ratio), while GC-NCI/SRM is recommended for use where added selectivity or confirmation is required (such as parathion-ethyl, tokuthion, carbofenothion). GC-EI/SRM at concentration <100 pg μL⁻¹ was not suitable for most pesticides. GC-EI/SIM was more prone to interference issues than NCI methods, but gave good sensitivity (MDLs 1–10 pg μL⁻¹) for pesticides with poor NCI response (OPs: sulfotep, phorate, aspon, ethion, and OCs: alachlor, aldrin, perthane, and DDE, DDD, DDT).

Stir bar sorptive extraction for the determination of pyrethroids in water samples

Stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) was applied to the enrichment of pyrethroids in water samples. Analysis was done by retention time-locked GC/MS in selected ion-monitoring (SIM) mode using trans-permethrin-d(6) as internal standard. Thermal desorption (TD) was performed in a classical split/splitless inlet equipped with a flip-top sealing system and in a dedicated thermal desorption unit. These two thermal desorption methods were compared to liquid desorption with ethyl acetate. Sensitivity was the highest for thermal desorption in the dedicated system and the lowest for liquid desorption even at injection volumes of 10 microL. The SBSE-TD-GC/MS method is able to determine pyrethroids at ultra-trace level (<1 ng/L) with RSD% smaller than 15 (n=6).

Effects of sample pretreatment and storage conditions in the determination of pyrethroids in water samples by solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

The aqueous instability of pyrethroids and other compounds usually found in commercial pesticide formulations has been demonstrated in this work. Several types of sample treatment have been studied to avoid analyte losses during sample manipulation and storage. Analysis was performed by SPME-GC-MS. Addition of sodium thiosulfate to tap water prevented pyrethroid degradation as a result of oxidation by free chlorine. The amount added was optimized to minimize the effect of the salt on the analytical results. Analysis of samples that had been stored at 4 degrees C for several days revealed loss of some of the pyrethroids in the first period of storage. The effect of freezing the samples was studied and it was confirmed that samples could be stabilized for at least one week by freezing. Finally, addition of a miscible organic solvent, for example acetone, led to improvement of the analytical precision. The quality of the SPME-GC-MS method was studied. Linearity (R > 0.993), repeatability (RSD < 15%), and sensitivity (detection limits between 0.9 and 35 pg mL(-1)) were good. When the procedure was applied to real samples including run off and waste water some of the target compounds were identified and quantified.

Rapid and sensitive determination of pyrethroids indoors using active sampling followed by ultrasound-assisted solvent extraction and gas chromatography

A fast and simple method to analyze pyrethroids as well as other components of frequently used domestic insecticide preparations in indoor air is presented. The proposed method, based on sampling with an adsorbent followed by ultrasound-assisted solvent extraction, was developed with the aim to simplify the traditional extraction methodologies applied up to date to determine pesticides in air. The analytes were retained on a very small amount of adsorbent, which allowed using solely 1 mL of solvent for desorption. The quantification was performed by gas chromatography with microelectron-capture detection (GC-muECD) and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The influence of main factors involved in the ultrasound-assisted solvent extraction step (type of adsorbent and type of solvent, solvent volume and extraction time) was studied using an experimental design approach to account for possible factor interactions. The sampling step was studied for two adsorbents (Tenax TA and Florisil), finding that 1 m(3) air could be sampled without losses of analytes. In this way, the analysis of pyrethroids in air by the proposed method could be carried out within a total time shorter than an hour, including sampling. Linearity was demonstrated in a wide concentration range. Efficiency of the total sampling-extraction process was studied at several concentration levels (2, 10, 100 and 1000 ng/m(3)), obtaining quantitative recoveries for all compounds, with good precision (RSD < 10%). Method detection limits were below 1 ng/m(3) in air when GC-muECD was employed, and about one order of magnitude higher for GC-MS. In addition, the proposed method was applied to real samples collected in contaminated closed rooms, in which some of the target compounds were determined.

Gas chromatographic–tandem mass spectrometric method for the quantitation of carbofuran, carbaryl and their main metabolites in applicators’ urine

A new gas chromatographic-tandem mass spectrometric method has been developed and validated for the determination of two N-methylcarbamates, carbofuran and carbaryl and their metabolites in applicators' urine specimens. Mild conditions were used for sample preparation based on enzymic hydrolysis and solid-phase extraction using Oasis HLB sorbent cartridges. Amides, phenols and ketones were first converted to volatile derivatives of trifluoroacetic acid anhydride (TFAA) and afterwards were quantitated using tandem mass spectrometry. Linear calibration equations (1-200 ng mL(-1) urine) were obtained from fortified urine samples for all eight compounds, carbaryl, 1-naphthol, 2-naphthol, and carbofuran, 3-hydroxycarbofuran, 7-phenol, carbofuran-3-keto, 3- hydroxycarbofuranphenol. For all compounds, the limit of detection was lower than 0.1 ng mL(-1). Precision for all compounds, at the concentrations of 1, 10 and 100 ng mL(-1) (n = 5) in-fortified urine samples ranged from 0.7% to 18%. Accuracy was calculated at two concentrations 8 and 80 ng mL(-1) (n = 5) and ranged from -8.4% to 8.2%. Relative recoveries at concentrations of 1, 10 and 100 ng mL(-1), ranged from 71% to 116%. The method was successfully applied to five male applicators and 10 non-applicators (including both smokers and non-smokers).

Inhalational and dermal exposures during spray application of biocides

Data on inhalational and potential dermal exposures during spray application of liquid biocidal products were generated. On the one hand, model experiments with different spraying devices using fluorescent tracers were carried out to investigate the influence of parameters relevant to the exposure (e.g. spraying equipment, nozzle size, direction of application). On the other hand, measurements were performed at selected workplaces (during disinfection operations in food and feed areas; pest control operations for private, public and veterinary hygiene; wood protection and antifouling applications) after application of biocidal products such as Empire 20, Responsar SC, Omexan-forte, Actellic, Perma-forte; Fendona SC, Pyrethrum mist; CBM 8, Aldekol Des 03, TAD CID, Basileum, Basilit. The measurements taken in the model rooms demonstrated dependence of the inhalation exposure on the type of spraying device used, in the following order: "spraying with low pressure" < "airless spraying" < "fogging" indicating that the particle diameter of the released spray droplets is the most important parameter. In addition inhalation exposure was lowest when the spraying direction was downward. Also for the potential dermal exposure, the spraying direction was of particular importance: overhead spraying caused the highest contamination of body surfaces. The data of inhalational and potential dermal exposures gained through workplace measurements showed considerable variation. During spraying procedures with low-pressure equipments, dose rates of active substances inhaled by the operators ranged from 7 to 230 microg active substance (a.s.)/h. An increase in inhaled dose rates (6-33 mg a.s./h) was observed after use of high application volumes/time unit during wood protection applications indoors. Spraying in the veterinary sector using medium-pressure sprayers led to inhaled dose rates between 2 and 24mga.s./h. The highest inhaled dose rates were measured during fogging (114 mg a.s./h) and after-high-pressure applications in the antifouling sector (110-300 mg a.s./h). The potential dermal exposure of spray operators was lowest (dose rates from 0.2 to 7 mg a.s./h) in the areas of food and feed disinfection and private and public hygiene during spraying with low-pressure devices. During fogging, wood protection and antifouling applications, high-potential dermal exposures of the operators were determined. Dermal dose rates varied between 100 and 34,000 mg a.s./h.

Development of a stir-bar-sorptive extraction–liquid desorption–large-volume injection capillary gas chromatographic–mass spectrometric method for pyrethroid pesticides in water samples

Stir-bar-sorptive extraction followed by liquid desorption and large-volume injection capillary gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection (SBSE-LD-LVI-GC-MS), had been applied for the determination of ultra-traces of eight pyrethroid pesticides (acrinathrin, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, esfenvalerate, fenpropathrin, fenvalerate, and permethrin cis and trans isomers) in water samples. Instrumental calibration for selected-ion monitoring acquisition and conditions that could affect the SBSE-LD efficiency are fully discussed. By performing systematic assays on 30-mL water samples spiked at the 0.10 microg L(-1) level it was established that stir-bars coated with 47 microL polydimethylsiloxane, an equilibrium time of 60 min (750 rpm), 5% methanol as organic modifier, and acetonitrile as back-extraction solvent, provided the best analytical performance to monitor pyrethroid pesticides in water matrices. Good accuracy (81.8-105.0%) and remarkable reproducibility (<11.7%) were obtained, and the experimental recovery data were in good agreement with the theoretical equilibrium described by octanol-water partition coefficients (log K(O/W)), with the exception of acrinathrin for which lower yields were measured. Excellent linear dynamic ranges between 25 and 400 ng L(-1) (r2>0.994), low quantification (3.0-7.5 ng L(-1)) and detection (1.0-2.5 ng L(-1)) limits were also achieved for the eight pyrethroid pesticides studied. The method was successfully used for analysis of tap-water and groundwater matrices spiked at the 0.10 microg L(-1), revealing the suitability of the method for determination of pyrethroid pesticides in real samples. The method was shown be reliable and sensitive and a small volume of sample was required to monitor pyrethroids at ultra-trace levels, in compliance with international regulatory directives on water quality.

Assessment of potential (inhalation and dermal) and actual exposure to acetamiprid by greenhouse applicators using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

New analytical methods based on liquid chromatography with electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) have been developed and validated for assessing the exposure of greenhouse workers to acetamiprid. Both ambient (potential inhalation and dermal exposure) and internal dose (biological monitoring of urine samples) measurements were carried out. Potential inhalation exposure was assessed using Chromosorb 102 cartridges connected to air personal samplers. Potential dermal exposure was estimated by using whole body dosimetry. The measurement of actual exposure was done by analyzing the parent compound in urine samples of the applicators, after a solid-phase extraction (SPE) step. The methods showed a good accuracy (72-92%), precision (2-13%) and lower limits (few microg l(-1)). The validated approaches have been applied to assess potential and actual exposure of agricultural workers spraying acetamiprid in greenhouses. The results shown the need to wear personal protective equipment (suits) in order to reduce the absorbed dose of acetamiprid.

In-flight spraying in aircrafts: determination of the exposure scenario

Exposure measurements were carried out in parked aircrafts during and after application of a biocide aerosol spray (simulated in-flight spraying). The aerosol product SRA spray (Standard Reference Aerosol Spray) was used for spraying. Concentrations of the pyrethrins--the active ingredients--in the air of the passenger cabin (airborne particles, measured during spray application and 40 minutes afterwards) varied from 11 to 65 microg/m3; those of the synergist piperonyl butoxide were 200-485 microg/m3. The concentrations on surfaces of the cabin furniture differed widely. Low concentrations were determined on surfaces in vertical positions (median values: pyrethrins < or =2 ng/cm2; piperonyl butoxide < or =17 ng/cm2), while under seats, on seats and on headrests the concentrations were up to 55.5 ng/cm2 for pyrethrins and 1162.5 ng/cm2 for piperonyl butoxide (median values). The inhaled doses for sprayers (using 100 g of spray) and persons sitting in the passenger cabin were calculated to be 17 microg for pyrethrins and 200 microg for piperonyl butoxide (maximum values). Maximum total external body doses for the applicators during spraying were 830 microg for pyrethrins and 8840 microg for piperonyl butoxide. The potential dermal dose for persons sitting in the passenger cabin was about a factor of two lower.

Human biomonitoring of pyrethrum and pyrethroid insecticides used indoors:

This work describes a gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric method employing negative chemical ionization (NCI) for the determination of E-cis/trans-chrysanthemumdicarboxylic acid (CDCA) in human urine used as a biomarker for the exposure to pyrethrum and/or certain pyrethroids in insecticide formulations applied indoors. Mixed-mode solid phase extraction was utilized for sample cleanup. Extraction recoveries ranged from 92 to 104% (2-9% R.S.D.). The acids were esterified with 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) allowing both their gas chromatographic separation and their sensitive mass spectrometric detection under NCI conditions. Detection limits of ca. 0.05 microg/l urine were achieved.