HAPSITE(Trademark) Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometer Variability Assessment

Abstract

GC-MS is a powerful technology and considered the "gold standard" for identifying unknown chemicals because it can separate and identify chemicals individually. The GC-MS combination allows a user to identify and quantify volatile or some semi-volatile chemicals in a mixture. The Inficon(Tradename) portable GC-MS called HAPSITE(Tradename) uses the same theoretical principles as any other GC-MS. The HAPSITE(Tradename) is a unique version of a GC-MS because it is small and lightweight. Its dimensions are 18" x 17" x 7" and it weighs 35 lbs. It is designed to be worn as a backpack, making this GC-MS system the first "man-portable" system. The carrier gas, which is traditionally a large compressed gas cylinder, is compressed nitrogen in a container about the size of a typical 12 oz. aerosol can. Advances in technology have reduced the size of the GC-MS components enabling the HAPSITE(Tradename) system to be taken directly to an incident involving unknown chemicals for near-real-time analysis. The HAPSITE(Tradename) draws samples directly from the air, which is different from laboratory GC-MS systems that typically rely on liquid injection. Direct air sampling avoids wet chemistry manipulations that are too difficult and time consuming to perform in a response situation. Results of this study give the operators in the field an understanding of the response variability between HAPSITE(Tradename) instruments against known chemical concentrations. Knowing instrument variability allows greater confidence in the chemical concentration estimates and more trustworthy risk assessments, enabling responders to make informed decisions during an incident. The goal of this research is to provide information on the variability that exists between HAPSITE(Tradename) instruments.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 27, 2005
Accession Number
ADA437085

Entities

People

  • Michael A. Skinner

Organizations

  • Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Alkanes
  • Alkenes
  • Chemical Compounds
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemical Warfare
  • Chemical Warfare Agents
  • Chemistry
  • Chlorides
  • Command And Control
  • Gas Cylinders
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Measurement
  • Military Personnel
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Test Methods
  • Volatile Organic Compounds

Readers

  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Materials Science
  • Systems Analysis and Design