Effect of temperature on the biodegradation of sodium monofluoroacetate (1080) in water and in Elodea canadensis

Direct aqueous injection of the fluoroacetate anion in potable water for analysis by liquid chromatography tandem mass-spectrometry

Sodium fluoroacetate or Compound 1080 is a rodenticide registered in the United States for use in livestock protection collars. The collars are employed to control predation on herd animals (i.e., killing of cattle by wolves or coyotes). Sodium fluoroacetate is acutely toxic to humans and has potential to cause mass casualties if used to intentionally contaminate water systems. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for characterization and remediation if such an incident occurs in the civilian sector. In support of that goal, EPA has published the Selected Analytical Methods for Remediation and Recovery (SAM) document that provides sampling and analysis methods for many hazardous chemicals such as sodium fluoroacetate. Ideal SAM methods require limited sample preparation steps and utilize widely available equipment to ensure the ability for maximum laboratory participation in a large-scale response. The present paper describes a direct aqueous injection (DAI) method for liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis of the fluoroacetate anion (FAA) in potable water. Sample preservation and filtration are the only pre-processing steps required. FAA is chromatographically separated on an octylsilane (C8) reversed phase column. Separation is attributed to ion-exchange interactions. Electrospray ionization (ESI) in negative mode and detection by tandem mass spectrometry follow. FAA presence was confirmed by two fragment ions in the correct ratio, and use of a labeled standard allowed for quantitation by isotope dilution. FAA detection and quantitation limits were 0.4 μg/L and 2 μg/L, respectively. Four different drinking water utilities provided water samples from varying locations across the U.S. All the water samples were fortified with FAA and tested to evaluate analyte stability and the robustness of the method.

Uptake and persistence of the vertebrate pesticide, sodium monofluoroacetate (compound 1080), in plants of cultural importance

Field research was undertaken to determine if naturally occurring plants utilised by a Maori (the indigenous people of New Zealand) community for food and medicine would take up the toxin sodium monofluoroacetate (Compound 1080) from baits used to control the brush-tailed possum Trichosurus vulpecula. Single baits were placed at the base of individual plants of two species, pikopiko (Asplenium bulbiferum) and karamuramu (Coprosma robusta). Plants were sampled at various times up to 56 days, and samples analyzed for 1080 content. No 1080 was detected in any of the pikopiko samples, whereas 1080 was detected in karamuramu, at a maximum concentration of 5 ppb after 7 days, and 2.5 ppb after 14 days. This concentration decreased to zero at 28 days, indicating that while karamuramu was shown to take up 1080, it was not persistent. The results of this study suggest there is negligible risk of humans being poisoned by consuming plants that have taken up 1080 from baits. To allay community concerns that minute concentrations of 1080 might influence the medicinal properties of plants, it is suggested a withholding period of 30 days after 1080 control operations could be adopted.