An analytical program for determination and confirmation of airborne levels of chemical agent in the event of a suspected release
- Dynatherm Analytical Instruments, Inc., Kelton, PA (United States)
- SciTech Services, Inc., Abingdon, MD (United States)
The Monitoring Branch Laboratory of the US Army Operations Directorate, Chemical Support Division is uniquely outfitted to respond quickly when the need arises to identify and measure atmospheric contamination levels of military unique compounds. Samples collected with a vacuum pump on solid sorbent tubes are initially screened using gas chromatography (GC) and a sulfur/phosphorus specific detector to determine and quantify the presence or absence of contaminants. Positive samples from the first stage of testing are subjected to subsequent analysis with different detectors to confirm genuine positives and eliminate false positives. Subsequent testing provides information during follow-up and site remediation activities through screening of soil and other environmental samples. Monitoring Branch uses Depot Area Air Monitoring Systems (DAAMS) technology in which a sample is collected onto a solid sorbent tube, and subsequently analyzed through thermal desorption of the sample into a gas chromatograph equipped with a simultaneous dual Flame Photometric Detector (FPD) for sulfur and phosphorus detection. Confirmation is accomplished using the same solid sorbent/thermal desorption/GC instrumentation with Atomic Emission Detection to confirm through elemental analysis and Mass Spectrophotometric Detection for structural confirmation. Soil and other environmental samples such as building debris are extracted manually using an organic solvent and analyzed using DAAMS technology and the same variety of detectors.
- OSTI ID:
- 276405
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-950209-; TRN: IM9636%%169
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 4. international symposium on field screening methods for hazardous wastes and toxic chemicals, Las Vegas, NV (United States), 22-24 Feb 1995; Other Information: PBD: 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of Field screening methods for hazardous wastes and toxic chemicals. VIP-47, Volume 2; PB: 701 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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