SOP EM-01 Page 1 of 4

Collection of Dye Card Samples

Revision: #10 Replaces: 2/19/14 version Effective: 9/3/19

1. Purpose and Scope: Dye cards are used to measure the deposition of a sprayed pesticide on

a flat surface. Dye cards can be read visually for a qualitative determination of deposition,

submitted to the laboratory for a quantitative analysis, or both. This SOP describes how to

handle, place, collect, read, and store dye card samples. Any instructions on dye card collection

and documentation found in the Environmental Monitoring Plan (EMP) for the Program under

study supersedes instructions contained in this SOP.

2. Supplies Required: To request sampling supplies, contact the monitoring supplies

coordinators, Lisa Mosser (305) 278 4902, or Richard King (305) 278 2905, Center for Plant

Health Science and Technology, Miami, or email the Environmental Monitoring Supplies 

Checklist to lisa.k.mosser@usda.gov or richard.a.king@usda.gov.

2.1 oil sensitive or water sensitive dye cards, as appropriate for the pesticide being 

monitored (request individually packaged in resealable plastic bags by CPHST) 

2.2 poles - 5 feet long (e.g. bamboo reeds, dowels, or 1"x 1" wood stakes and some 

tool to drive the poles into the ground) 

2.3 clips (paper or alligator)

2.4 tacks (to attach clips to top of poles) 

2.5 sanitary wipes

2.6 resealable plastic bags (4"x 4" and 12"x 12") 

2.7 field log book 

2.8 ice chest with dry, bagged regular, or blue ice (obtain locally)

2.9 environmental monitoring forms (APHIS Form 2060) 

2.10 indelible marker

2.11 wind gauge, compass, and thermometer 

2.12 disposable gloves 
SOP EM-01 Page 2 of 4

Collection of Dye Card Samples

Revision: #9 Replaces: 2/19/14 version Effective: 9/3/19

3. Placement of Dye Cards:

3.1 Determine the appropriate number and location of sample sites based on program 

specific selection criteria. At each sampling location, drive a pole into the ground 

to a sufficient depth to assure that it will not fall over during monitoring.

3.2 Affix two clips to the top of the pole using tacks, or bend one end of a paper clip 

wire 90○ and force the wire into the top of the pole (see figure below). 

3.3 Open the resealable plastic bag containing a dye card. Hold the card with the 

plastic bag so that you do 

not directly touch the card 

with your hands. Place the 

dye card in a clip on the 

pole. The dye card should 

be oriented horizontally 

with the sensitive surface 

facing up. Remove the 

resealable plastic bag and 

store it at a remote location, 

away from the treatment 

site. Always be careful not 

to touch the dye cards with 

anything that might have 

been in contact with Program chemicals (e.g. fingers, gloves, tools).

3.4 Place a second dye card in the other clip as illustrated, if necessary.

3.5 Repeat steps 3.1-3.4 for every pole in the dye card array. 

3.6 Expose the dye cards to the environment for the time specified in the EMP. 

Record the time the cards were placed at the site.

4. Collecting Exposed Dye Cards:

4.1 Using the indelible marker, label the resealable plastic bag with the code that 

indicating the dye card’s location in the array. DO NOT WRITE DIRECTLY ON 

THE DYE CARD.

Dye card

Dye card

Alligator clips

Pole
SOP EM-01 Page 3 of 4

Collection of Dye Card Samples

Revision: #9 Replaces: 2/19/14 version Effective: 9/3/19

4.2 While the card is still on the pole, slide the resealable plastic bag in which the 

card was shipped back over the card. Once the dye card is inside the resealable 

plastic bag, unclip it from the pole and seal the bag. Use care not to touch the 

card during this process. 

4.3 Examine the card for any visible spotting. Record the number of spots on the card 

in the field log book or on the 2060 form. If there are too many spots to count, 

record “numerous spots”. 

4.4 Record the time that the dye card was collected. Repeat steps 4.1-4.3 for the other 

card on the pole and the other cards in the sampling array. 

4.5 The bagged dye cards should all be placed into a 12"x 12" resealable bag and 

placed in the cold ice chest for transport to a freezer for storage until shipping. 

4.6 Decontaminate all clips (if they are to be used again) by wiping down with fresh 

sanitary wipes.

5. Documentation:

5.1 Record all observations in the field log book (see SOP EM-12, Using a Field Log 

Book). Record the air temperature and humidity during treatment, and the wind 

speed and direction before, during, and after treatment (see SOP EM-13, Taking 

Measurements for the APHIS Form 2060). Include a site sketch that shows: the 

dye card sampling array, its relation to the treatment site and any sensitive site(s), 

an approximate scale, and a North arrow. An annotated aerial photograph or 

topographical map of the site may be substituted for, or attached to, the site 

sketch. Describe any vegetation between the treatment site and the sample array, 

or any factors that might influence the amount of pesticide being deposited on the 

dye cards.

5.2 Complete an APHIS Form 2060 for each dye card. Include the site sketch on at 

least one of the 2060 forms of each sample array. Record the results of the visual 

determination of spotting in the ‘Remarks’ block. 

5.3 Retain the pink copy of Form 2060 for your records and distribute the remaining 

copies as specified in the EMP.
SOP EM-01 Page 4 of 4

Collection of Dye Card Samples

Revision: #9 Replaces: 2/19/14 version Effective: 9/3/19

6. Packaging and Shipping:

6.1 Package and ship the dye card samples as described in SOP EM-17, Packaging 

and Shipping of Samples.