Disposable Chemical Detection

"Since the end of the Gulf War significant concern regarding the health and safety of the soldiers and sailors has been raised. It is clear that the potential for exposure to hazardous chemicals due to chronic and acute environmental threats from the poorenvironmental practices of host nations as well as collateral damage from warfare and terrorism is faced by deployed soldiers and sailors every day. The absence of an early warning mechanism for the detection of these threats, can be hazardous if notfatal to the service member.The ideal solution for the service member is a sensitve, selective, durable and lightweight badge with no external power requirement to provide an immediate visual indication of the presence of a hazard. Using proprietary K&M technology, colorimetricchemistries will be developed and tested for the detection of toxic industrial contaminants primarily targeting the high priority chemicals listed in the USACHPPM TG 230A. Additionally, the badge design, along with the colorimetric sensors, will bedeveloped in such a way as to reduce or eliminate the effects of face velocity, temperature and humidity on the performance of the badge. Commercialization of this multisensor badge will reduce occupational disease by providing an early warning mechanismto the end user of the presence of the hazards in the environment. This device will be sensitive and each sensor will be selective to the targeted contaminant. Durabil