Loss of pesticides from patches used in the field as pesticide collectors.

Patches of fabrics exposed to pesticide spray formulations lost substantial quantities of the chemicals within four to six hours. Fabrics were cotton or 1:1 cotton-polyester blends, knitted or woven, unfinished or finished. Pesticides used were parathion, malathion, and dicofol. Parathion loss following exposure to spray formulations was dependent on fabric type, finish and their interaction, while a less extensive loss of dicofol depended on none of these. Deposition and retention of pesticide-bearing particulates appeared to depend on mechanical restrictions related to fabric weave and on the electrokinetic potential of fabric surfaces.