SEDL / STP / STP989-EB / STP26332S

Distribution of Malathion on Gore-Tex Fabric Before and After Sunlight Exposure and Laundering as Determined by Electron Microscopy

Branson, DH
Professor and graduate research assistant, Textiles and Merchandising, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK

Rajadhyaksha, S
Professor and graduate research assistant, Textiles and Merchandising, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK

Pages: 9    Published: Jan 1988

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Abstract

The distribution of malathion residue on Gore-Tex fabric was examined using electron microscopy. The percent malathion retained in laundered and unlaundered fabric specimens and in the individual Gore-Tex layers was determined with gas chromatography. Concentrations of malathion were found on the surface of nylon fibers and in the interstices between fibers in both the face and the backing fabric layers as well as in the membrane of both the unlaundered and laundered samples. These findings were verified and the percent residue retained by fabric layer was quantified. Thus, the Gore-Tex fabric tested was not an effective barrier to the undiluted malathion solution. Also, the distribution of the pesticide changed after laundering. The Gore membrane retained the highest proportion of pesticide of the three layers, suggesting the ineffectiveness of an aqueous laundry system for removal under these conditions.