| Abstract: | Apples treated with tetrachlorvinphos (Gardona, trans-isomer of dimethyl 1-(2′,4′,5′-trichloropheny1)-2-chlorovinyl phosphate) insecticide under field conditions in several countries in 1965, 1966 and 1967 have been analysed at intervals after treatment for residues of tetrachlorvinphos itself, its cis-isomer and seven potential breakdown products. Residues of up to 10 ppm of tetrachlorvinphos were detected immediately after the last of three applications of tetrachlorvinphos (diluted to 0.16% active material). The initial half-life of the tetrachlorvinphos was on average about 0.5 weeks under U.K. conditions and only 10% of the tetrachlorvinphos remained unchanged at 2 weeks after application. The overall chemical persistence of the wettable powder formulation was not significantly different from that of the emulsifiable concentrate formulation. Within 8 weeks of the application the residues were mainly of tetrachlorvinphos itself, its cis-isomer and the alcohol 1-(2′,4′-5′-trichlorophenyl)ethan-l-ol, in free and sugar-conjugated forms. The residues of the conjugates of this alcohol (up to 0.92 ppm) were generally present in higher concentration at 6-8 weeks after the application than were the residues of the other components. Whilst residues of other breakdown products were detected on the apples their individual residues were below 0.05 ppm and generally below 0.01 ppm at 6 weeks or more after the last of several applications of tetrachlorvinphos. |
