Grantee Research Project Results

Toward Developing a Rapid Field-Testing Device: Regenerable Fujiwara Reagent as a Portable Technology for Measuring Drinking Water Pollution

EPA Contract Number: EPD04037
Title: Toward Developing a Rapid Field-Testing Device: Regenerable Fujiwara Reagent as a Portable Technology for Measuring Drinking Water Pollution
Investigators: Goswami, Kisholoy
Small Business: InnoSense LLC
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: March 1, 2004 through August 31, 2004
Project Amount: $69,997
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (2004) RFA Text |  Recipients Lists
Research Category: SBIR - Water and Wastewater , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) , Drinking Water

Description:

The goal of this Phase I research project is to establish the feasibility of a regenerable chemical sensor for in situ detection of halogenated hydrocarbons (HHCs) in water. The technology is expected to generate a device for rapid field tests related to spills and accidents. HHCs, such as trichloroethylene (TCE), have been widely used for degreasing operations and as dry cleaning agents. They are among the most frequent contaminants of water, air, and soil across the United States. Both epidemiological and toxicological data implicate HHCs as carcinogens. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandated maximum allowable concentration of TCE in drinking water is 5 parts per billion. Fujiwara reaction is the only known reaction for detecting HHCs spectrophotometrically in the visible region. This reaction is irreversible, nonspecific, and it requires a fresh supply of reagent for each measurement. Additionally, liquid pyridine used in the Fujiwara reaction is a toxic, offensive-smelling material. InnoSense, LLC, will develop a chemical sensor for detecting HHCs using a modified Fujiwara reagent. Innovations are proposed to demonstrate reagents that are regenerable and user-friendly. These reagents will enhance performance/cost effectiveness and reduce risk potential to field personnel. Tests are proposed to demonstrate the detection of TCE at the EPA-mandated level.

The approach to be investigated in this project is designed to remove the difficulties encountered by previous researchers in academia and national laboratories using liquid pyridine. The anticipated results at the end of Phase II are expected to have impacts on: (1) handling difficulties, (2) reagent delivery, (3) operational life, and (4) sensitivity and selectivity. The initial product launching will be aimed at rapid field testing needed to respond to spills and accidents. Currently, environmental analysis is expensive because of the costs related to skilled operators, field sampling, and laboratory analysis. At the end of Phase III, a fully engineered, regulator-approved HHC sensor is expected that can perform sample analyses for $10/sample. This sensor will benefit the Nation by characterizing the tens of thousands of solvent-contaminated sites in the United States.

Supplemental Keywords:

small business, SBIR, Fujiwara reagent, drinking water pollution, halogenated hydrocarbons, HHCs, rapid field test, trichloroethylene, TCE, halohydrocarbon sensor, EPA., RFA, Scientific Discipline, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION, Water, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry, Engineering, Chemistry, & Physics, Analytical Chemistry, Monitoring/Modeling, Drinking Water, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Monitoring, community water system, regenerable chemical sensor, homeland security, field portable monitoring, measurement, field portable systems, monitoring, analytical methods, environmental measurement, chemical detection techniques, halogenated hydrocarbons, drinking water system, drinking water contaminants, drinking water regulations, environmental contaminants, field monitoring, biopollution, TCE, resonating microsensor

Progress and Final Reports:

Final Report