The Estimation of Mothproofing Agents in Wool

Abstract

Techniques for the removal of dieldrin from wool are compared and methods of analysis are described. A culorimetric method [19] is satisfactory, when proceeded by prior cleanup of the extract. Gas chromatography on a silicone oil column, without any preliminary cleanup, gives an excellent separation of dietdrin. This method has been used to measure fastness properties of dieldrin-treated wool, and data obtained earlier with radioactive dieldrin [28] have been confirmed.' The gas chromatographic procedure may also be used for the determination of other chlorinated mothproofing agents in wool, and the fastness properties of DDT and Dilene (TDE) on wool have been determined by this method. The washfastness of dieldrin, Dilene and DDT on wool are all similar, but fastness to dry cleaning is in the order dieldrin>Dilene>DDT.

Newer Insecticides as Insectproofing Agents for Wool

“…Analyses [28] showed only small variations in initial insecticide content and similar amounts removed during subsequent washing. W hen tested after washing, the addition of the pyrethrum synergists piperonyl hutoxide, MGK 264 ( N-( 2-ethylhexyl ) -bicyclo ( 2.2.1 ) -hept-5-ene-2,3-dicarboximide [ 12] ) or sulfoxide ( 1,2-methylene dioxy-4-( 2-( octylsulfinyl ) propyl ) benzene [ 12 ] ) had no beneficial effect on insectproofing with Dilene.…”

“…probably by elution of the active insecticide by the alkaline washing liquors, rather than its inactivation. In an accompanying paper [28] the actual contents of DDT and Dilene have been determined in detail, and the greater durability of the insectproofing with Dilene is due to this compound having inherently letter fastness properties on wool than does DDT.…”

“…This latter test is a severe laboratory test and is not the type of conditions of exposure to which treated wool would normally be subjected. Further to the biological testing after various durability tests, the actual content of Dilene was also determined analytically [28] for several different levels of treatment at the boil. The plot in Figure 3 shows a smooth curve for the relation between feed- < ing damage and Dilene content and indicates that, so long as O.I ~o of Dilene remains on the wool, the insectproofi-ng will he at a satisfactory level.…”

Mothproofing of Wool with Organobromine Compounds

“…The minimum concentrations required for effective mothproofing given there [ 11 ] were nominal and gas chromatography (again using the conditions described hy Williams [14]. which gave elution of a main peak at 1.50 .min) has now shown that these are in fact about 0.07% for Anthrenus and 0.10% for Tineola.…”