Use of mobile gas chromatograph coupled to mass spectrometer to detect toxic compounds in environmental samples

Abstract

Chemical warfare agents are substances that can be used with military purpose for their ability to cause death, temporary incapacitation or permanent harm in the population. Identification of potentially toxic chemicals used as chemical weapons is of fundamental importance to ensure the physical integrity of the military and civilian population. The objective of this study was to test a method to detect the presence of chemical compounds in environmental samples through direct injection and using Tenax® tube connected to a mobile gas chromatograph coupled to a mass spectrometer (GC-MS) system. Three compounds from a chemical warfare list, used as precursors of chemical weapons, were chosen: 2,6-dimethylphenol, trimethyl phosphate and 1,4-thioxane. These compounds are commercially available for purchase, different from others representatives, which must be synthesized in microscale in a laboratory. The results obtained with the mobile GC-MS system were compared to those obtained with a bench top GC-MS system used in laboratory analysis. Results showed that the use of the mobile GC-MS system was adequate to identify the target compounds, highlighting the importance of its use in field analysis.