Gas chromatographic determination of lindane (gamma isomer of BHC) in maneb-lindane liquid pesticide formulations.

Lindane from liquid insecticide-fungicide formulations containing lindane with maneb can be determined by gas chromatography using 3% OV-1 or 5% SE-30 columns. Lindane is extracted with acetone, and an aliquot is diluted to volume with anhydrous methanol and injected on-column. The internal standard, diethyl phthalate, has a retention time of 6 min and lindane has a retention time of 12 min, allowing injection every 15 min. Within-laboratory analysis of 3 typical formulations indicates good precision with coefficients of variation ranging from 0.45 to 1.58%. The method can be easily adapted to other liquid or dust formulations of lindane.