TITLE Comparison of Methods to Determine Dislodgeable Residue Transfer from Floors AUTHOR(S) David E. Camann, H.J. Harding, P.W. Geno, and S.R. Agrawal PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS Southwest Research Institute San Antonio, TX 782280510 SPONSORING AGENCY NAME AND ADDRESS National Exposure Research Laboratory Office of Research and Development U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Research Triangle Park, NC 27711 ABSTRACT Three methods were evaluated for measurement of freshlyapplied pesticide residues on carpeted and vinyl floors. Tests were conducted to determine the relative performance of the three methods for removal of dislodgeable residues and to compare them with human skin. The Dow drag sled and the Southwest Research Institute polyurethane foam (PUF) roller performed better than the California cloth roller. Moistening the sampling media increased the transfer by the drag sled and the PUF roller, but substantially increased measurement variability. An isopropanol handwipe method efficiently removed dried pesticide residues from the hand so volunteers (104% of chlorpyifos, 92% of pyrethrin I). Both the drag sled and the PUF roller were found to be acceptable dislodgeable residue methods on the basis of these studies. The transfer efficiency of the drag sled consistently exceeded the transfer efficiency of the PUF roller, which consistency exceeded the transfer efficiency of human hand presses. This relationship was observed for a variety of pesticides, loadings, application methods, and surfaces. The pliable polyurethane foam sampling surface of the PUF roller with its rolling action is likely to better simulate human skin in its transfer via contact with surfaces than is the denim cloth of the Dow sled with its drag action. Either mechanical method can be used to estimate dermal transfer of pesticide residues from recently treated floors. Roundrobin testing of the drag sled and PUF roller by potential registrants under strict QA/QC guidance from EPA is recommended.