| The pesticide industry specifically has made a remarkable impact in the protection of food supplies but has also created unanticipated environmental and human health adverse effects. Evidence has linked pesticide exposure to almost every type of cancer possible in addition to neurodegenerative diseases, newborn deficiencies and endocrine disruption. Despite this insurmountable evidence against pesticides, the pesticide industry has become so integrated into our society that many believe that reconsidering or abolishing the industry would have multiple economic consequences (Rosenbaum 1998). Inevitably, the industry is here to stay for the time being and it becomes the duty of public health officials and scientists to limit pesticide exposure and educate the public in awareness of toxic side effects to their health and the environment.;A critical part in identifying the presence of pesticides, their toxicity and ultimately their possible effect on people and the environment is the determination of the exact amount of pesticide that is present. Analytical methods are utilized to provide quantitative data to help answer many of these questions. Multiple analytical methods were examined in this research for their utility to analyze and quantitate pesticides and their degradation products in soil. Traditional and cartridge-assisted liquid-liquid extraction, solid-phase extraction including C18, polymeric, ion-exchange and a recent innovation: molecular imprinted polymer, and accelerated solvent extraction are evaluated for extraction of the target analytes. Gas chromatographic and liquid chromatographic techniques are also investigated to determine optimal instrumental analysis. All methods were assessed for analytical parameters typical in method development: accuracy, precision, sensitivity, etc. |
