The rapid determination of the organophosphorus pesticides diazinon and dichlorvos in blood by gas chromatography

Abstract

A rapid method for the gas-chromatographic determination of diazinon and dichlorvos in blood is described. Protein is precipitated by mixing the blood with an excess of acetone containing an internal standard and the supernatant liquid is injected, directly or after concentration, into the gas chromatograph. A thermionic phosphorus detector is used.

Recoveries are satisfactory from 0·1 ml of blood containing 0·1 p.p.m. of the pesticide without concentration of the extract. If a 1-ml sample is used and the extract concentrated, 0·02 p.p.m. can be determined. It is suggested that the method should be applicable to a wide range of organophosphorus pesticides.

The method is also shown to be effective for determining diazinon in tissues and organs, but it is not recommended for this purpose.