Determination of Lewisites and their hydrolysis products in aqueous and multiphase samples by in-sorbent tube butyl thiolation followed by thermal desorption–gas chromatography–full scan mass spectrometry

Identification of chemicals relevant to the Chemical Weapons Convention using the novel sample-preparation methods and strategies of the Mobile Laboratory of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons

“…The strategies have been suitably evaluated with OPCW PT samples [15,16], during certification exercises of the OPCW Inspectors Analytical Chemists, during inspection preparations in the OPCW Laboratory and on inspections and international exercises. We present several examples below.…”

“…Experience gathered during inspections, training, exercises, and PTs has been used in the OPCW Laboratory to improve the existing analytical methods and to develop new ones. Recently, a set of novel sample preparation methods for thermal desorption (TD)-GC-MS analysis was developed for efficiently dealing with aqueous samples and extracts and multiphase sample systems in a timely manner [15,16]. The methods use the same portable equipment as the air-sampling and analysis method [17], reducing significantly the logistic burden of the on-site Laboratory.…”

Measurement of breakthrough volumes of volatile chemical warfare agents on a poly(2,6-diphenylphenylene oxide)-based adsorbent and application to thermal desorption–gas chromatography/mass spectrometric analysis

“…We measured the specific breakthrough volumes and specific elution volumes using an established elution technique [25]. The Tenax ® TA resin was examined first as it is the most commonly used resin for trapping CWAs according to recent reports [21,30]. Taking into consideration the performance of commercial gas sampling pumps, dimensions of popular adsorbent tubes, and on-site countermeasure situations, the flow rate and maximum volume of air sample for analyte trapping were set at 100 mL/min and 5 L, respectively.…”