Risk of environmental contamination by the active ingredient imidacloprid used for corn seed dressing. Preliminary results

Aim of the study was to detect the possible loss of a.i. imidacloprid through the fan drain of pneumatic seed drills during corn sowing operations. The experiment regarded Gaucho ® dressed corn seeds. In order to detect air contamination, paper filters were positioned at the air output of the fan; in addition grass and flower samples from green areas near fields were collected immedi-ately after the corn had been sown. Residues of imidacloprid were found both in the paper filters and in the grass and flowers samples. Quantity of imidacloprid in the paper filters increased with increasing exposure times. The results confirm that the air is contaminated by a.i. imidacloprid during normal sowing operations using Gaucho ® dressed corn seeds. Key words: imidacloprid, Gaucho®, environmental contamination, corn sow.