Using a GC headspace measurement technique, the vapor pressure of TATP was determined over the temperature range 12 to 60 8C. As a check on the experimental method, TNT vapor pressure was likewise computed. Values for TNT are in excellent agreement with previous published ones. For TATP the vapor pressure was found to be~7 Pa at ambient conditions. This value translates to a factor of 10 4 more molecules of TATP in air than TNT at room temperature. The dependence of TATP vapor pressure on temperature can be described by the equation log 10 P(Pa) ¼ 19.791 À 5708/T(K). Its heat of sublimation has been calculated as 109 kJ/mol. ] Figure 1. Chemical structure of TATP
The sorption of explosives (TNT, RDX, PETN, TATP, EGDN) to hair during exposure to their vapors is examined. Three colors of hair were simultaneously exposed to explosive vapor. Following exposure of hair, the sorbed explosive was removed by extraction with acetonitrile and quantified. Results show that sorption of explosives, via vapor diffusion, to black hair is significantly greater than to blond, brown or bleached hair. Furthermore, the rate of sorption is directly related to the vapor density of the explosive: EGDN>TATP⋙TNT⪢PETN>RDX. In some cases, the explosive-containing hair was subject to repeated washings with sodium dodecylsulfate or simply left out in an open area to determine the persistence of the explosive contamination. While explosive is removed from hair with time or washing, some persists. These results indicate that hair can be a useful indicator of explosive exposure/handling.
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