Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: Preconcentration Technology for Infrared Analysis of Organophosphates in Water
EPA Contract Number: EPD12011Title: Preconcentration Technology for Infrared Analysis of Organophosphates in Water
Investigators: Roy, Eric
Small Business: Orono Spectral Solutions Inc
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: March 1, 2012 through August 31, 2012
Project Amount: $80,000
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (2012) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) , SBIR - Homeland Security
Description:
In the field, drinking water cannot be quickly and reliably analyzed for the presence of highly toxic organophosphate pesticides due to insufficient sensitivity of current portable detection systems. The objective of this SBIR effort is to develop a sampling device that uses reactive nanomaterials to preconcentrate trace levels of organophosphates into a solid film, which can then be analyzed using commercially available Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR) Infrared (IR)-based detection systems. The preconcentration technology will enable highly trusted, field portable detection systems to detect and positively identify trace concentrations of organophosphate pesticides in water to ensure the safety of human health and the environment.
Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
Figure 1. Schematic showing how organiphosphate pestcides are A) Concentrated onto reactive nanoparticles
B) Collected onto a membrane C) Analyzed using ATR IR spectroscopy and D) Identified using the unique IR
signature for each chemical compound.
Conclusions:
Figure 2. Output from Hazmat ID 360 when ZnO/Malathion was run as an unknown sample. All 3 hits are for the
same chemical, as evidenced by the same CAS #.
Supplemental Keywords:
organophosphates, water supply, detection, attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy, hazmat response, homeland security, toxic chemicals, chemical warfare agentsThe 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.