Research Highlights

Technology Performance Summary: Draeger Civil Defense Kit for Chemical Warfare Agents

All Hazards Receipt Facilities (AHRFs) were developed to prescreen for chemical, radiochemical, and explosive hazards in samples collected during suspected terrorist attacks. The technologies used in AHRFs are intended to screen samples prior to a full analysis, helping protect responders, laboratory workers, and others from potential injury.

Evaluations of these technologies are summarized in the technology evaluation report, Testing of Screening Technologies for Detection of Chemical Warfare Agents in All Hazards Receipt Facilities. The chemical warfare agents (CWAs) included in the report were chosen because they might be used during, or develop as a by-product from, a terrorist attack.

The screening technologies are intended:

• To be rapid and qualitative
• To be simple to use and of relatively low cost
• To indicate if samples contain hazardous chemicals of concern.

Not all of the technologies evaluated were deemed suitable for the AHRF, although they might be useful for responders on the scene.

Technology Evaluated: Draeger Civil Defense Kit

Sample Types Evaluated for Indication of: Sarin and sulfur mustard in vapor

Conclusions:
The Draeger Civil Defense Kit:

• Reliably detected sulfur mustard in vapor (i.e., 100% accuracy).
• Reliably detected sarin in vapor; however, strong positive (red) responses were observed with the sarin challenge, and a weak (light pink) response was seen with the blank (i.e., interferent only) challenges.
• Responded within seconds.
• Can test up to five compounds at once.
• Uses a relatively simple procedure.

Technology Description and Requirements: This technology uses a hand pump to draw air through five different color-indicating tubes simultaneously, with each tube providing an indication of one vapor phase CWA (i.e., sarin or sulfur mustard). All five tubes must be in place in the five-port sampling holder for proper sampling to occur. Fifty compressions of the hand pump provide the required sample volumes to all five tubes.

Testing Methodology and Results: Testing was conducted on one CWA at a time. The tested gases were generated by diluting a commercially obtained compressed gas standard. To evaluate the instrument, a flow of clean air passed through a clean air plenum, and an equal flow of air containing the tested gas passed through another plenum: the challenge plenum. The instrument was connected to a 4-way valve through which clean air, or the tested gas, flowed before being vented into a chemical laboratory hood. The instrument was first exposed to the clean air flow. After this, the 4-way valve was switched to the challenge plenum to deliver the tested CWA gas. The sequence of exposure to clean air, followed by exposure to the CWA gas, was carried out three times in succession for the instrument. This sequence was followed for each CWA and each test condition identified in Table 1. For this evaluation, a hydrocarbon mixture interferent was added to the blank and to the CWA gas at a ratio of 1:100 interferent mix to air flow. The test gas was pulled into the tubes via the provided hand pump.

Table 1: Summary of Draeger Civil Defense Kit Test Results

^aA hydrocarbon mixture was used as the interferent.
^bTemperature and relative humidity conditions for vapor tests were: Base = 20 °C and 50% relative humidity, Low = 10 °C and 20% relative humidity, and High = 30 °C and 80% relative humidity.
^cAEGL = Acute Exposure Guide Level.
^dStrong positive (red) response was observed and a weak (light pink) response was observed with the blank challenge.

Contact: Eric Koglin

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