ABSTRACT
In this chapter, we describe an important aspect of sampling and analysis of pesticides and other toxicants in air. The choice of sampling and analysis is based on the properties of the analyte and the environment. A popular sampling method for pesticides in air involves the use of a pump or vacuum to pull a known volume of air, at a known flow rate through a bed of polystyrene-based sorbents such as Chromosorb 102 and XAD-4. In addition, filters are used to trap particulate matter from the air. Examples are given for high volume sampling and personal monitoring, both made possible with automated or battery-powered air samplers. Passive air samplers are also useful. Multicomponent pesticides such as toxaphene and highly volatile contaminants such as fumigants may require special approaches for sampling and analysis. Analysis is done by standard techniques of gas and liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, immunoassay, and others. Chromatography and mass spectrometry are sometimes preceded by fractionation.
