Significance of Abuse Chemical Contamination of Returnable Dairy Containers: Pesticide Storage and Detector Evaluation

Abstract

LEXAN ® resin, polyethylene plastic and glass returnable dairy containers were exposed to 85 dissimilar pesticides to determine storage effects. The method used to select the 85 pesticides from a list of 426 available for purchase by consumers is described. After 3 and 10 days of storage, approximately 30% of the pesticide products were incompatible with LEXAN resin. Good compatibility of stored pesticides with polyethylene plastic and glass was demonstrated. After commercial dairy washing, the three container types were examined for presence of visual residues. The LEXAN resin and polyethylene plastic containers were evaluated by an in-line contaminant detector. Incompatibility of stored pesticides with LEXAN resin is more effective in detecting and discarding misused containers than is the detection device for polyethylene plastic containers.