Determination of Subpicogram Amounts of Chemical Agents in the Atmosphere. Phase II.

摘要

During the second phase of this project, reported here, the objectives were to verify the sensitivity and determine the practical limits of field ionization detection of specific chemical warfare agents by a cross calibration procedure, to determine the usefulness of multiple silicon rubber membrane separators for preenrichment of the analyzed air, and to search for improved field ionization sources. Field ionization mass spectrometry was found to be an adequate technique for the detection of chemical warfare agents in pure air down to the 10 ppt level. In laboratory air, the limit is 1 ppb because of the presence of impurities. This limitation could be eliminated by prepurification of the air.