Development and evaluation of a quantitative video-fluorescence imaging system and fluorescent tracer for measuring transfer of pesticide residues from surfaces to hands with repeated contacts

Ann Occup Hyg. 2004 Aug;48(6):519-32. doi: 10.1093/annhyg/meh049. Epub 2004 Aug 6.

Abstract

A video imaging system and the associated quantification methods have been developed for measurement of the transfer of a fluorescent tracer from surfaces to hands. The highly fluorescent compound riboflavin (vitamin B2), which is also water soluble and non-toxic, was chosen as the tracer compound to simulate the transfer from surfaces to hands of pesticide residues deposited on carpeted and laminate surfaces of a residence. The system was designed around the unique properties of riboflavin. Excitation energy was centered near 440 nm (in the blue region of the visible spectrum); emitted energy was measured at 600 nm (in the red/orange region), well beyond the significant fluorescence peak maximum of natural skin. A video camera system with an image intensifier was interfaced to an image processing analysis software system. Quantification utilized chemometric techniques to account for the non-linearity of pixel detectivity and non-linear excitation strength. Method quantification and detection limits were approximately 0.1 and 0.02 micro g/cm(2), respectively. The relative error was approximately 100% at the quantification limit, but <20% at higher levels. Transfer of riboflavin to hands, resulting in dermal loadings in the range 0.1-2.0 micro g/cm(2), were measured with this system from surfaces whose loadings approximated the pesticide levels that occur in homes after broadcast application.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Calibration
  • Environmental Exposure*
  • Environmental Monitoring / instrumentation
  • Environmental Monitoring / methods*
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Hand
  • Housing*
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Pesticide Residues / analysis*
  • Riboflavin
  • Video Recording

Substances

  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Pesticide Residues
  • Riboflavin