Field and laboratory application of a gas chromatograph low thermal mass resistively heated column system in detecting traditional and non-traditional chemical warfare agents using solid phase micro-extraction /

by Koch, David R.

Title of Thesis: “Field and Laboratory Application of a Gas Chromatograph Low Thermal Mass Resistively Heated Column System in Detecting Traditional and Non-Traditional Chemical Warfare Agents using Solid Phase Micro-Extraction” Author: LCDR David R. Koch Master of Science in Public Health Thesis Directed by: CDR Gary Hook, PhD Assistant Professor Department of Preventive Medicine and Biometrics Emergency response units (ERUs) need a chemical sampling and analysis method that will allow rapid, and accurate on-scene detection and identification of dangerous chemicals. Fast gas chromatography (FGC) using a low thermal mass, resistively heated, toroidal (LTM-RHT) column, along with solid phase microextraction (SPME) was used as an analytical method to sample and detect frank contamination of traditional chemical warefare agents (CWAs), CWA precursors, and non-traditional CWAs (i.e. narcotics). The research results were used to evaluate the ability of the LTM-RHT column to effectively separate and identify a complex mixture of CWAs in the laboratory and in the iii field, and to evaluate the ability of the LTM-RHT column coupled to a mass spectrometer to rapidly separate and identify a complex mixture of narcotics. Various sampling times and column temperature ramping rates were used to evaluate peak resolution (R), column efficiency (CE) and/or peak retention time (RT). The results of the CWA sampling and analysis indicate the LTM-RHT column assemblies could be used by an (ERU) to effectively analyze and detect frank chemical warfare agent contaminated clothing up to 75% faster than a column that is heated using a standard ramping rate for an air bath oven (ABO). The decrease in analysis time, to include system cool-down time, will allow for a potentially significant increase in the number of samples that can be analyzed within a given time period. The data of the CWA precursors shows that identification with sufficient peak separation of volatile analytes via FGC is obtainable. The work with non-traditional CWAs demonstrated that FGC can significantly reduce analysis retention time while maintaining adequate peak resolution, and column efficiency. iv