Organophosphorous Pesticides and Herbicides

This Fact Sheet is presented by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region III (EPA) to assist in the selection of analytical parameters and the associated Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) procedures to be utilized in Phase II Environmental Assessments under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brownfields initiative. This fact sheet is presented for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as a federal policy or directive. The Brownfields Coordinator for this region may be reached at 215-814-5000.

ORGANOPHOSPHOROUS PESTICIDES COMPOUNDS *

Azinphos Methyl
Bolstar
Chlorpyrifos
Coumaphos
Demeton-O
Demeton-S
Diazinon
Dichlorous, Disulfoton
Ethoprop
Fensulfothion
Fenthion
Merphos
Mevinphos
Naled
Parathion Methyl
Phorate
Ronnel
Stirophos (Tetrachloryinphos)
Tokuthion (Prothiofos)
Trichloronate

HERBICIDE COMPOUNDS

2,4-D
2,4-DB
2,4,5-T
2,4,5-TP (Silvex)
Dalapon
Dicamba
Dichlorprop
Dinoseb
MCPA
MCPP

* Please note: The list above corresponds to pesticide and herbicide lists contained in the methods listed below, and is not a complete list of all toxic pesticide or herbicide compounds. If the site history suggests a pesticide or herbicide compound may be present which is not on this list, the compound should be included in the requested analysis.

ANALYSIS METHODS

Please note that the methods listed below are EPA approved and the most commonly used by EPA and their contractors. However, they are not the only methods for the analysis of pesticide or herbicide compounds. In addition, these are not drinking water test methods.

METHOD	APPLICABLE MATRICES
EPA 615 (1) or EPA SW-846 3010 or 3020/8150 (2)	Aqueous Herbicides
EAP 614 (1) or EPA SW-846 3010 or 3020/8140 (2)	Aqueous Pesticides
EPA SW-846 3500 or 3550/8150 (2)	Soil/Sediment & Waste Herbicides
EPA SW-846 3500 or 3550/8140 (2)	Soil/Sediment & Waste Pesticides

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 1992. Test Methods for Organic Chemical Analysis of Municipal and Industrial Wastewater. Washington, D.C. July.
EPA. 1986. Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste. SW-846. Washington, D.C. September.

COLLECTION MEDIA/VOLUME

Listed below are the EPA-recommended preservation and holding times as well as suggested glassware.

MATRIX	GLASSWARE	VOLUME	PRESERVATIVE	HOLDING TIME
Soil/Sediment	8-oz wide mouth jar	1 8-oz jar	ice to 4º C	14 days
Aqueous	32-oz amber bottle	2 amber bottles	ice to 4º C	7 days
Waste	8-oz wide mouth jar	1 8-oz jar	none required (ice preferred)	none (try not to exceed 14 days)

MINIMUM LABORATORY QUALITY CONTROL MEASURES

The laboratory should have Standard Operating Procedures available for review for the organophosphorous pesticide or herbicide analyses and for all associated methods needed to complete the pesticide or herbicide analysis, such as total solids, instrument maintenance, sample handling, and sample documentation procedures. In addition, the laboratory should have a Laboratory Quality Assurance/Quality Control Statement available for review which includes all key personnel qualifications.

QC TYPE	FREQUENCY OF ANALYSIS	ACCEPTABLE LIMITS
Initial Calibration	Prior to analysis of samples (minimum three concentration levels for every compound and an instrument blank) and every 72 hours thereafter	% Relative Standard Deviation of Response Factors of < 25 (see method for any allowable variations), and a minimum Response Factor of >0.05 (see method for calculation), also resolution check criteria must be met, and retention time windows established
Continuing Calibration	Once every 10 sample runs (mid-level standard)	% Difference for Response Factor of < 25 (see method for any allowable variations), a minimum Response Factor of > 0.05 (see method for calculation), and retention times must be within windows
Second Column Confirmation	All hits	All hits must be confirmed on a dissimilar column from original analysis
Method Blank	Once per extraction batch	See method for allowable limits
Matrix Spike/Matrix Spike Duplicate	One MS/MSD per 20 samples or per extraction set	See method for limits
Surrogate Spikes	Added to each sample (see method for suggested surrogate compounds)	Report recovery

MINIMUM DATA PACKAGE REQUIREMENTS

Sample results in a tabular form (if soil or sediment) reported on a dry weight basis.
Report % moisture or % solids for all soil and sediment samples.
Report sample volumes or weights, as well as any dilution factors, for each sample analysis.
Returned copy of the chain of custody form sent with the samples with laboratory receipt acknowledgment, and the internal or laboratory chain of custody forms.
Method blank results.
GC initial and continuing calibration data summary forms.
GC pesticide breakdown and resolution forms, and analytical sequence forms.
Surrogate spike recoveries, either on a separate table or with the results, including laboratory QC limits.
Matrix spike recovery tables, including laboratory recovery and relative percent difference QC limits.
Date samples were analyzed, on a separate sheet, or results page.
Optional: sample, standard and blank chromatograms, instrument run logs, and total solids logs.

Note: The optional QC must be maintained by laboratory for at least one year for possible future QC audits.

Region 3 | Mid-Atlantic Cleanup | Mid-Atlantic Brownfields & Land Revitalization