Beyond air monitoring: Advancements in trace level detection of chemical warfare agents and toxic chemicals in environmental matrices and contaminated materials
Presented at CBRNe World, USA, 2024
Thermal desorption (TD) coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) is revolutionising the detection of chemical warfare agents (CWAs) and toxic industrial chemicals (TICs). This innovative approach enhances sensitivity, achieves detection at picogram levels, and enables both targeted and untargeted analysis across complex environmental and material samples.
Key capabilities of TD–GC–MS technology
- Enhanced sensitivity: Facilitates detection of CWAs in air, soil, sand, and contaminated materials such as personal protective equipment (PPE) and clothing.
- Untargeted screening: Comprehensive data collection stores full chemical profiles for future analysis and forensic applications.
- Streamlined sample handling: Reduces contamination risks and improves workflow efficiency.
Applications
- Environmental monitoring: Identifies toxic chemical hotspots in soils, oceans, and abandoned munitions sites.
- Forensic and attribution analysis: Provides insights into explosive residues, delivery devices, and precursor compounds.
- Decontamination studies: Direct sampling from solid materials minimises handling and maximises data integrity.
Innovative sampling methods
Dynamic headspace and in-situ sampling techniques, including tools such as microchambers and VOC-moles, offer efficient solutions for collecting volatile chemicals directly from various matrices.
