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Shipment, Preservation, and Analysis of Chemical Warfare Agents (CWAs) in Environmental Matrices
Citation:
Willison, S. AND R. Campisano. Shipment, Preservation, and Analysis of Chemical Warfare Agents (CWAs) in Environmental Matrices. U.S. EPA Office of Research and Development, Washington, DC, EPA/600/S-18/332, 2018.
Impact/Purpose:
Because Chemical Warfare Agents are highly toxic, sample collection, preservation, and analysis will be difficult at the local, State, and Federal levels. The number of anticipated samples collected and analyzed during the remediation effort will undoubtedly overwhelm laboratory capacity and capability and delay the results needed to support decision-making during clearance. To ensure a timely response, EPA’s Homeland Security Research Program (HSRP) developed over twenty gas-chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis methods, liquid-chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis methods which are housed within the Environmental Sampling and Analytical Methods Program (ESAM). ESAM facilitates a coordinated response to a chemical contamination incident by providing information supporting field and laboratory efforts following an intentional, or accidental contamination incident. HSRP's has also developed resources to support the collection, storage, handling, and analysis of CWAs by EPA Regional laboratories within the Emergency Response Laboratory Network to increase laboratory capacity and capability. In addition to supporting the Regional laboratories, these resources support local, State, Federal laboratories, and EPA Regional response personnel who collect and analyze environmental samples contaminated with CWAs. These resources, as well as how they can be accessed, are outlined in the technical brief.
Description:
The document is intended to be applicable to consequence management activities that EPA will be involved with and will require remediation of contaminated areas by an urban release of chemical warfare agents (CWA). The document summarizes the gaps that have been addressed towards meeting the Agency's needs for laboratory capacity and capability to handle, store, process, and analyze CWA samples through the development of CWA analytical standards, and sampling and analysis methods. The material has value for use during initial characterization and remediation activities during an incident.