Pesticide exposure in greenspaces: Comparing field measurement of dermal contamination with values predicted by registration models

Since 2014, the Agricultural Operator Exposure Model (AOEM) has been the harmonised European model used for estimating non-dietary operator exposure to pesticide. It is based on studies conducted by the pesticide companies and it features 13 different crops including non-agricultural areas such as amenity grasslands. The objective of this study was to compare the dermal exposure measured during a field study conducted in a non-agricultural area with the corresponding values estimated by the model AOEM. The non-controlled field study was conducted in France in 2011 and included 24 private and public gardeners who apply glyphosate with knapsack sprayers. Dermal exposure was measured using the whole-body method and cotton gloves. Each measured value had an estimated value given by AOEM and we tested their correlation using linear regression. The model overestimated body exposure for all observations and there was no correlation between values. However, it underestimated hand exposure by 42 times and it systematically underestimated the exposure when the operators were wearing gloves, especially during the application. The model failed at being conservative regarding hand exposure and highly overestimated the protection afforded by the gloves. At a time of glyphosate renewed approval in Europe, non-controlled field studies conducted by academics are needed to improve AOEM model, especially in the non-agricultural sector. Indeed, among the 34 studies included in the model, none were conducted on a non-agricultural area and only four assessed the exposure when using a knapsack sprayer. Moreover, knapsack sprayers being the main equipment used worldwide in both agricultural and non-agricultural settings, it is also crucial to integrate new data specific to this equipment in the model. Operator exposure should be estimated with accuracy in the registration process of pesticides to ensure proper safety as well as in epidemiological studies to improve exposure assessment.

Concentrations of heroin, 06-monoacetylmorphine, and morphine in a lethal case following an oral heroin overdose

A case of lethal overdose by heroin ingestion is presented. The concentrations of drugs were measured several hours after death. Heroin, 06-monoacetylmorphine, and morphine were identified and quantitated in blood, urine, and gastrointestinal contents by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography. Concentrations of heroin, 06-monoacetylmorphine, and morphine were 109, 168, and 1140 ng/mL, respectively, in blood and 17, 12, and 425 ng/g, respectively, in gastrointestinal content. In urine, however, only morphine was detected at 3650 ng/mL.

Liquid chromatographic analysis of cocaine and benzoylecgonine in plasma of traditional coca chewers from Bolivia during exercise

The purpose of the present study was to determine the amount of cocaine and benzoylecgonine in the plasma of Aymara Indians from the Bolivian Andes after traditional chewing of coca leaves during exercise performance. The determination was carried out by high performance liquid chromatography after solid-liquid extraction. The results showed that such use of coca leaves is well correlated with pharmacologically active concentration of cocaine in plasma.

Simultaneous determination of dextromoramide, propoxyphene and norpropoxyphene in necropsic whole blood by liquid chromatography

Dextromoramide, propoxyphene and its main metabolite, norpropoxyphene, were determined in blood after solid-liquid extraction by means of an HPLC method using photodiode-array detection. Two cases of fatal overdose resulting from abuse of the two drugs are presented. In case 1 the necropsic whole blood contained dextromoramide at toxic level (194 ng ml-1) and propoxyphene (614 ng ml-1) and norpropoxyphene (1100 ng ml-1) within the therapeutic range; the death could be due to the combined effect of the two analgesics and, perhaps, other associated drugs. In case 2, the necropsic whole blood concentrations of propoxyphene and norpropoxyphene were 4330 and 3800 ng ml-1, respectively, and could be considered as lethal.

Determination of amineptine and its main metabolite in plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography after solid-phase extraction

Amineptine and its main metabolite were determined simultaneously in plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography using quinupramine as internal standard. The method comprised adsorption on Extrelut column from alkaline plasma, elution with diethyl ether-methylene chloride, evaporation in the presence of 0.01 M hydrochloric acid and injection of the acid solution onto a mu Bondapak C18 column, using acetonitrile-0.025 M potassium dihydrogenphosphate as mobile phase and ultraviolet detection at 210 nm. Average steady-state concentrations of the two compounds were determined in four patients under treatment regimen (two 100-mg doses of amineptine per day, at 8.00 and 12.00 h). The concentrations determined 20 h after the last dose were undetectable in all cases, whereas the concentrations determined 1 h after the second dose were found to be 780 +/- 96 ng ml-1 for amineptine and 690 +/- 137 ng ml-1 for its metabolite. The technique can also be applied to whole blood with, if necessary, identification on the basis of the ultraviolet spectrum obtained by photodiode-array detection.

Quantitation and ultraviolet spectrum identification of buflomedil in whole blood and plasma by HPLC

Buflomedil, a vasodilating agent, was determined in whole blood or plasma by HPLC with papaverine as internal standard after absorption of the alkaline sample on an Extrelut column and elution with diethylether-methylene chloride (70:30, v/v). The eluate was evaporated and the residue was dissolved in 100 microL of the mobile phase; 20 microL of this solution were injected into a mu Bondapak C18 column (10 microns) using acetonitrile-0.125M potassium dihydrogen phosphate (40:60, v/v) as mobile phase and UV detection at 280 nm, followed by UV spectrum identification (between 200 and 350 nm) with a photodiode array detector. The method is rapid (giving response within 20 min), reproducible, selective, and sensitive. It can be applied for pharmacokinetic studies and for both clinical pharmacology and forensic toxicology.