Research Highlights

Technology Performance Summary: Draeger CMS Analyzer for Toxic Industrial Chemicals

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 Toxic Industrial Chemicals in All Hazards Receipt Facilities. The toxic industrial chemicals (TICs) 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 Chip Measurement System (CMS) Analyze

Sample Types Evaluated for Indication of: Hydrogen cyanide, phosgene, chlorine, and hydrogen sulfide in vapor

Conclusions:
The Draeger CMS Analyzer:

• Reliably detected hydrogen cyanide, phosgene, chlorine, and hydrogen sulfide
  (i.e., 100% accuracy).
• Provided a digital readout in several minutes.
• Uses an automated, internal air sampling pump, which reduced physical effort.
• Uses a relatively simple procedure of sliding a chip back and forth with a switch.

Technology Description and Requirements: This technology is based on color-indicating tubes, but rather than using individual tubes, the CMS Analyzer uses chips, or cards, on which are ten miniature color tubes. The card is inserted into the CMS Analyzer and positioned so that an internal pump draws sample air through one of the tubes. Any resulting color change is read by an electronic colorimeter and displayed as a quantitative indication of the chemical concentration. The card may then be advanced to the next tube, readying the CMS Analyzer for the next measurement. The cards  are indexed so that tubes are positioned accurately and cannot be reused by mistake.

Testing Methodology and Results: Testing was conducted on one TIC at a time. The tested gases were generated by diluting a commercially obtained compressed gas standard. To evaluate the detector, 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 technology was first exposed to the clean air flow. After this, the 4-way valve was switched to the challenge plenum to deliver the TIC gas. The sequence of exposure to clean air, followed by exposure to the TIC gas, was carried out three times in succession. This sequence was followed for each TIC and condition identified in Table 1. For this evaluation, a hydrocarbon mixture interferent was added to the blank, or TIC gas, at a ratio of 1:100 interferent mix to air flow.

Table 1: Summary of Draeger CMS Analyzer 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.

Contact: Eric Koglin

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