Follow NEMC
 |
 |
 |
CWA and Degradation Product Analysis for Matrix-Specific Environmental Samples
Oral Presentation
Prepared by S. Willison1, R. Campisano2, C. Koester3, T. Smith4
1 - USEPA NHSRC, 26 W. MLK Dr., Cincinnati, Ohio, 45268
2 - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 26 W. MLK Dr., Cincinnati, Ohio, 45268
3 - Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 7000 East Ave, PO Box 808, Livermore, CA, 94551
4 - U.S. Enivironmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsulvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C., 20460
Contact Information: Willison.stuart@epa.gov; 513-569-7253
ABSTRACT
Site characterization for clean-up of an area contaminated with chemical warfare agents (CWAs) will require testing of a variety of matrices (e.g., soil, surface, water, air), and may involve analysis of hundreds or thousands of samples. Sampling and analysis procedures for potentially hazardous CWA degradation products are of similar importance to analysis of the parent compound because the methods can provide the location of the most concentrated areas of contamination of the parent compound or identify any hazardous degradation products that may be present. There is still a need to improve the nation’s laboratory capacity and capability to analyze environmental samples following an incident. A systematic analytical approach for all matrices of interest has been developed to avoid analytical complications inherent with analysis processes, including matrix suppression/enhancement effects, contamination, or interferents, which could lead to an incorrect conclusion about the presence/absence of a hazardous chemical. The same can be said for the decontamination stage of a remediation as well. As a result, proper analytical methods are needed not only for each matrix, but to ensure that an affected area is properly remediated prior to reoccupation. Depending on the properties of the analyte of interest, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) or liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) detection may be the preferred analysis method. Analytical procedures developed to minimize complications will help to avoid delay for proper characterization. The purpose of this work is to present method development for the detection of CWAs and their degradation products in various environmental matrices of interest. Matrix examples will include urban materials for surface sampling (from wipes), soil, and water samples. Experimentally, chemicals were deposited onto various matrices and determined via extraction, and analysis using either GC-MS or LC-MS/MS.
Oral Presentation
Prepared by S. Willison1, R. Campisano2, C. Koester3, T. Smith4
1 - USEPA NHSRC, 26 W. MLK Dr., Cincinnati, Ohio, 45268
2 - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 26 W. MLK Dr., Cincinnati, Ohio, 45268
3 - Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 7000 East Ave, PO Box 808, Livermore, CA, 94551
4 - U.S. Enivironmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsulvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C., 20460
Contact Information: Willison.stuart@epa.gov; 513-569-7253
ABSTRACT
Site characterization for clean-up of an area contaminated with chemical warfare agents (CWAs) will require testing of a variety of matrices (e.g., soil, surface, water, air), and may involve analysis of hundreds or thousands of samples. Sampling and analysis procedures for potentially hazardous CWA degradation products are of similar importance to analysis of the parent compound because the methods can provide the location of the most concentrated areas of contamination of the parent compound or identify any hazardous degradation products that may be present. There is still a need to improve the nation’s laboratory capacity and capability to analyze environmental samples following an incident. A systematic analytical approach for all matrices of interest has been developed to avoid analytical complications inherent with analysis processes, including matrix suppression/enhancement effects, contamination, or interferents, which could lead to an incorrect conclusion about the presence/absence of a hazardous chemical. The same can be said for the decontamination stage of a remediation as well. As a result, proper analytical methods are needed not only for each matrix, but to ensure that an affected area is properly remediated prior to reoccupation. Depending on the properties of the analyte of interest, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) or liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) detection may be the preferred analysis method. Analytical procedures developed to minimize complications will help to avoid delay for proper characterization. The purpose of this work is to present method development for the detection of CWAs and their degradation products in various environmental matrices of interest. Matrix examples will include urban materials for surface sampling (from wipes), soil, and water samples. Experimentally, chemicals were deposited onto various matrices and determined via extraction, and analysis using either GC-MS or LC-MS/MS.