The measurement of volatile constituents in Foray 48B, an insecticide prepared from Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki.

Foray 48B, an insecticide prepared from Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Btk), has been used for many years to combat infestations of Gypsy moths. Foray 48B also contains a large number of 'inert ingredients' which are not disclosed by the manufacturer. Gypsy moths usually enter the country through marine- and airports in close proximity to urban areas, which consequently need to be sprayed. The population affected often demands more detailed information than what is available including the potential presence of volatile organic agents which could be released during spraying, posing a potential health hazard. Four different methods were investigated using GC/mass spectrometry regarding their ability to capture volatile agents associated with Foray 48B. It was found that solid phase micro-extraction was most efficient in capturing volatile agents from the head-space of Foray 48B. Separate trials using 95:5% ethanol/isopropanol mixture and toluene in an impinger configuration were much less efficient. Standard techniques using activated charcoal tubes in the laboratory setting as well as in a field trial did not capture any compounds. It was concluded that the volatile agents associated with Foray 48B did not appear to constitute a significant health hazard and no one agent was a likely candidate to serve as a tracer for Foray 48B exposure.