Analysis of organochlorine pesticide residues using simultaneous injection of two capillary columns with electron capture and electrolytic conductivity detectors.

A system has been developed that will allow low level screening of 31 organochlorine pesticide residues using simultaneous injection on 2 dissimilar capillary columns. An electron capture detector was attached to a DB-1701 column, and an electrolytic conductivity detector in the halogen mode was attached to a DB-5 column. Chlorinated pesticide amounts ranging from 0.05 ng for gamma-BHC to 1.5 ng for decamethrin can easily be quantitated and confirmed. The system can be used in either the column programmed mode or the isothermal column mode. Good reproducibility was obtained for injections in both modes. This system can easily be retrofitted to any gas chromatograph using on column or split/splitless injectors.