Sampling Handling and Analysis Method for Chemical Warfare Agents in Soils Contaminated With Chemical and/or Biological Warfare Agents

摘要

A sample handling and analysis method was developed for the identification of chemical warfare agents (as intact compounds or as their hydrolysis products) in samples suspected to contain either chemical or biological warfare agent contamination. The method, based on aqueous extraction, autoclaving of the aqueous extract and LC-ESI-MS analysis was evaluated using three soil samples spiked at the 80 microgram/g level with triethyl phosphate, isopropyl methylphosphonic acid or thiodiglycol. All three compounds were readily extracted and identified following LC-ESI-MS, with triethyl phosphate undergoing some hydrolysis during the autoclaving procedure. This sample handling and analysis method for soil (or other) samples will form a cornerstone of the chemical/biological warfare agent identification strategy being developed at DRDC Suffield to meet National commitments.