Research Highlights

Technology Performance Summary: Truetech M272 Water Kit 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: Truetech M272 Water Kit

Sample Type Evaluated for Indication of: Cyanide in liquid

Conclusions:
Truetech M272 Water Kit:

• Reliably detected the presence of cyanide in liquid samples (i.e., 100% accuracy).
• Response time took several minutes due to the relatively complex procedure. The multiple detection tubes and reagent tablets needed, and the requirement for 60 mL of water sample, make it unlikely that this technology would be suitable for the AHRF.

Technology Description and Requirements: The Truetech M272 technology requires 60 mL of sample and uses reagent tablets, color tubes, and heating, which is provided by lighted matches. Results are qualitative and indicate only the presence of cyanide in the sample, not an actual concentration in the sample.

Testing Methodology and Results: Because cyanide is water-soluble, water was used as a solvent. To simulate potential interfering sample matrices that might be encountered, samples were prepared using deionized (DI) water, municipal tap water, and DI water containing 3.0% by weight sodium chloride. Each screening technology was tested with three blank samples and with three samples containing the cyanide.

Table 1: Summary of Truetech M272 Test Results

^aFor a 50-mL sample, a cyanide concentration of 0.7 mg/mL equals one-tenth of the oral dose that would be lethal to half the population (LD₅₀ ).

Contact: Eric Koglin

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