Detection of Exposure to Environmental Pesticides During Pregnancy by the Analysis of Maternal Hair Using GC–MS

Several classes of pesticides were extracted from maternal hair by solid-liquid extraction. Analysis of their selected metabolites involved a methanolic/hydrochloric acid methyl ester derivatization and liquid-liquid extraction. Gas chromatography electron impact mass spectrometry was used to detect and quantify the pesticides and metabolites. Recovery of parent compounds and metabolites from the analysis of spiked hair ranged from 87 to 112% with coefficients of variation less than 11%. Limits of detection ranged from 0.031 to 5.88 μg g(-1). Analysis of hair samples from pregnant women in the Philippines showed maternal exposure during pregnancy to bioallethrin, propoxur, chlorpyrifos, pretilachlor and malathion.