Tiffany C. Wirth

As analytical chemist(s), the data collected from samples we test represent information. That information may be required to direct environmental clean-up operations, help insure worker safety, or guide decisions for an emergency response to a chemical incident.

Rapid sample preparation using the CUSTODIONâ„¢ solid phase microextraction (SPME) syringe was applied to chemical warfare agents (CWAs), CWA simulants, by-products, and precursors. The samples were analyzed quickly and reliably with a sample-to-sample cycle time of less than 3 min using the GUARDIONâ„¢-7 portable capillary gas chromatograph toroidal ion trap mass spectrometer (GC–TMS).

In this article, methods developed for rapid, automated detection of CWAs and TICs using a low thermal mass capillary gas chromatograph coupled to a toroidal ion trap mass spectrometer (TMS) are presented.

The CUSTODIONâ„¢ solid phase microextraction (SPME) syringe was used to rapidly sample and concentrate volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from water in 5 s. The VOCs were analyzed quickly and reliably in approximately 70 s using the GUARDIONâ„¢ -7 portable capillary gas chromatograph toroidal ion trap mass spectrometer (GC-TMS).