Abstract |
Thiram, a protective fungicide used in treating plants and seeds, is also used as an animal repellent to prevent damage to newly planted young evergreen seedling trees. This compound has been the cause of sporadic complaints of skin or respiratory tract irritation from exposed field workers. In conducting exposure studies of such workers there is need for analysis of many thiram samples. Existing analytical methodology for that compound is either of low sensitivity or involves lengthy laboratory procedures. Therefore, a rapid analytical method for thiram at the trace (low ppm) level was developed using total oxidation sulfur microcoulometry. The method involves a simple extraction, concentration, and a direct injection. Recovery and linearity are good. An application of the method involved analysis of field respirator pads collected from workers who had planted seedling trees and were therefore exposed to varying amounts of dust from the thiram formulation down to the trace level. |