Dithiocarbamates and/or dithianon in lettuce and pear

The proficiency test evaluates the performances of laboratories with respect to their ability to quantify dithiocarbamates as CS2 and/or dithianon.

Two test materials and the corresponding blank materials are offered:

• a lettuce homogenate, and
• a pear homogenate.

The participants are free to choose one or both materials and to analyse dithiocarbamates and dithianon or one of the parameters only. 

The test materials are prepared with liquid nitrogen. The sophisticated procedure of test material preparation reduces the degradation of dithiocarbamates resp. dithianon to the absolute minimum. The test material consists of a powdery ice. Therefore, sub-samples can be taken without thawing the test samples.

Reporting limits of 0.01 mg/kg are required related to dithiocarbamates and dithianon.