Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 4.17
Prevalence and Concentrations of Pesticide
Residues Measured in Carpet Samples in Nine
Jacksonville, FL, Residences
Mean concentration
(
Pesticide
# carpets
µ
g/g)
Heptachlor
10
1.3
Chlorpyrifos
11
5.8
Aldrin
10
0.4
Dieldrin
10
2.2
Chlordane
10
14.9
DDT + metabolites
9
1.2
o
-Phenylphenol
10
0.8
Propoxur
9
1.6
Diazinon
9
1.7
Carbaryl
5
1.4
Atrazine
2
0.7
Source:
From Whitmore, R.W. et al.,
Arch. Environ. Contam.
Toxicol
., 26, 47, 1994. With permission.
The seven most prevalent pesticides in both tables made up >90% of the
total mass concentration of all monitored pesticides. These included four
general-purpose insecticides (chlorpyrifos, propoxur, diazinon, and dichlo-
rvos), two discontinued termiticides (chlordane and heptachlor), and the
biocide/disinfectant,
o
-phenylphenol. As expected, concentrations were
higher in Florida, with highest concentrations reported for summer months.
The moth agent and deodorizer,
p
-dichlorobenzene, has been commonly
observed as a contaminant of residential indoor air; naphthalene less so.
Measurable levels of
p
-dichlorobenzene were detected in over 50% of approx-
imately 7850 residences investigated by USEPA, with mean concentrations
in the range of 20 to 50
g/m
3
. Chamber emission studies confirm that use
of moth cakes indoors can cause significant indoor levels. They also indicate
that sink effects which result in the revaporization and deposition of
p
-
dichlorobenzene may cause prolonged exposures.
Pentachlorophenol and lindane were widely used in the past to treat
foundation timber, structural timbers exposed to weather, and in coatings
such as paints, wood stains, and sealers. Pentachlorophenol was also used
on timbers intended for log home construction. Airborne levels have been
reported in complaint log homes in the range of 10 to 30
µ
µ
g/m
3
; in an office
building with PCP-treated timbers they were 27.2 to 30.7
g/m
3
.
Carpet dust sampling for pesticides was conducted in nine Florida
homes in the NOPES study. Frequency and mean concentrations of targeted
pesticides found in 11 carpets are summarized in
Table 4.17
.
The average
number of pesticides found in carpet dust was 12, compared to 7.5 in air in
the same residence. Thirteen pesticides were found in carpet dust that were
not observed in air samples, presumably because of their low volatility.
Highest concentrations were reported for chlordane, a discontinued pesti-
cide once used for termiticidal treatment.
µ
