Rapid Air/Vapor Sampling System for Chemical Threats

First responders play very important roles in the protection of people and their properties, as well as in homeland security and national defense. Various kinds of protective suits, masks, gloves and boots are available for use as protection from the various hazardous conditions they may face. A GC/MS based method, ASTM F739-07, is commonly used to determine the duration during which a protective gear can provide protection against exposure to chemical threats under the condition of continuous contact. However, accurate evaluation of the rate of permeation of the threat agents through protective clothing under actual emergency conditions is still a challenge. This is because of the difficulties encountered with sampling, elimination of interferents, and the efficient transferral of analytes to the detector. To address this need, Lynntech is proposing to develop an air/vapor sampling system capable of: i) handling a high flow rate, ii) efficient capture and iii) rapid release of the potential chemical threats (for analysis by GC). The feasibility of using Lynntech’s air/vapor sampling system at 1L/min air flow at 90±2 ºF and 80±5% RH will be demonstrated during Phase I, and a working prototype will be developed during the Phase II of the project.