Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: Toward Developing a Rapid Field-Testing Device: Regenerable Fujiwara Reagent as a Portable Technology for Measuring Drinking Water Pollution
EPA Contract Number: EPD04037Title: 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 research project was to develop a regenerable chemical sensor to detect chlorinated hydrocarbons in drinking water. These solvents, the most frequent and troublesome contaminants of soil, air, and water, span the entire United States. Common offenders include trichloroethylene (TCE) and chloroform. TCE often was used to clean metal parts (degreasing engines) and for dry cleaning. Chloroform, once used as a general anesthetic, now is used to produce other chemicals. These chemicals can damage the liver, kidneys, and neurological system, and are suspected carcinogens. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandated safety standards that apply to public water systems, limiting the maximum concentrations of TCE to 5 ppb. The current gold standard for detecting TCE is the purge and trap chromatographic method (EPA Method 5030/8260). In this Phase I research project, InnoSense, LLC, attempted to establish the feasibility of a portable device for selectively monitoring halogenated hydrocarbons in drinking water.
Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
InnoSense established the feasibility of the Fujiwara reaction in a way that will allow the utilization of user-friendly reagents for screening and monitoring halogenated hydrocarbons. Specifically, it was established that:
- Pyridine reagents are good candidates for Fujiwara reactions for the detection of halogenated hydrocarbons such as TCE and CHCl3. Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopic features of the reactions were studied. Pyridines can detect halohydrocarbons at ppb levels sensitive enough for field applications.
- Good solvents for the reactions include tetrahydrofuran (THF) or diethyl ether mixed with THF. Ethylene glycol was not a good solvent. No reaction occurred in ethylene glycol.
- Polymer rods containing reagents were prepared successfully.
Conclusions:
Gas chromatographic (GC) and GC/mass-spectroscopic (GC/MS) systems exist for halogenated hydrocarbon detection. These methods, however, are costly for field use. They require relatively expensive fixed-location analysis, costly sample acquisition, and transport protocols that are subject to challenge, because these compounds can readily degas from the sample. Furthermore, highly trained personnel are needed to operate the GC/MS equipment. A more reliable and cost-effective field screening and monitoring technology for these compounds has become a matter of necessity. As a result of employing the sensor systems, environmental engineering firms will be able to identify potential trouble spots and undertake immediate corrective action before problems become widespread.
Supplemental Keywords:
Field-testing device, Fujiwara reagent, drinking water pollution, contaminant, field-portable device, chlorinated hydrocarbons, halogenated hydrocarbons, trichloroethylene, TCE, chloroform, CHCl3, purge and trap chromatographic method, pyridine reagents, tetrahydrofuran, THF, SBIR,, 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 microsensorThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.