Researchers Tested Laser Tech to Detect Pesticide Residues
The study used surface-enhanced spectroscopy to monitor the effectiveness of gamma radiation decontamination.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Chemistry
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Researchers from USP and UCLA have tested a method to identify permethrin pesticide residues on museum objects. The study, currently in the research stage, used Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy to track chemical reduction following gamma radiation treatment.
Why it matters
The presence of legacy pesticides like permethrin on artifacts poses long-term health risks to museum conservators and Indigenous communities. Developing reliable detection methods is critical for ensuring the safe handling of historical collections that may remain contaminated for decades.
The researchers employed Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy, a technique that uses metallic nanostructures to amplify light signals for identifying specific chemical signatures on surfaces. They tested this method on materials including cotton, wood, feathers, and plant fibers.
The players
USP
A research-intensive university in Brazil specializing in archaeology and materials science.
UCLA
A research university based in Los Angeles with extensive expertise in spectroscopic analysis.
Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology
An institution housing historical collections that served as the source for the contaminated test objects.
The details
Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy works by measuring the inelastic scattering of photons—particles of light—when they interact with chemical bonds on a substrate. The team applied this technique to monitor the degradation of permethrin, a synthetic insecticide, after exposing museum objects to gamma radiation—a process that uses high-energy electromagnetic waves to neutralize contaminants. This method allows researchers to track chemical residues that have persisted on museum items for decades.
Timeline
October 2, 2026: The research findings were published.
The Tech Race
This research contributes to an ongoing effort by global heritage institutions to standardize decontamination protocols for legacy pesticides. It follows a research trend of applying advanced spectroscopic techniques to replace less sensitive, traditional chemical screening methods.
This detection technique offers a new workflow for museum staff to safely verify the decontamination status of items during cataloging or display. The method remains in the research phase, and no commercial timeline for widespread implementation across global museum networks has been established.
The takeaway
This development marks a shift toward non-destructive, high-sensitivity monitoring of historical artifacts. Future updates on this technique will depend on subsequent trials that determine if gamma radiation effectively removes permethrin across all types of organic museum materials.
Further reading
For more on the latest analytical techniques in material analysis, visit Chemistry.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Jornal da USP.
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