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SELECTED METHODS FOR DETECTING AND TRACING HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SPILLS
Citation:
Bock, D. AND P. Sullivan. SELECTED METHODS FOR DETECTING AND TRACING HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SPILLS. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/2-79/064 (NTIS PB298054), 1979.
Description:
Detection of hazardous chemicals by a wide range of phenomena including electrical conductivity, catalytic combustion, and colorimetry was investigated. This study showed that simple, fieldable instruments are available or can readily be made available for detecting spills of most common, hazardous materials at or near the threshold for deleterious biological effects. Several applicable commercial instruments were identified. A novel apparatus employing chemical indicators was developed for the early warning of spills of a wide range of pollutants in natural water bodies. A prototype spill tracing kit was designed and fabricated for use by laymen and its effectiveness demonstrated with volunteer firemen as operators.