Air Pollution and Radiation Monitoring in Collective Protection Facilities.

It has become increasingly important to monitor environment contamination by such chemicals as chemical warfare agents (CWAs) and industrial toxic chemicals (TICs), as well as radiation hazards around and inside collective protection facilities. This is especially important given the increased risk of terrorist or military attacks. The Military Institute of Chemistry and Radiometry (MICR) has constructed and developed the ALERT device for the effective monitoring of these threats.

Detection and Identification of VOCs Using Differential Ion Mobility Spectrometry (DMS).

The article presents a technique of differential ion mobility spectrometry (DMS) applicable to the detection and identification of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from such categories as n-alkanes, alcohols, acetate esters, ketones, botulinum toxin, BTX, and fluoro- and chloro-organic compounds. A possibility of mixture identification using only the DMS spectrometer is analyzed, and several examples are published for the first time. An analysis of different compounds and their mechanisms of fragmentation, influence on effective ion temperature, and high electric field intensity is discussed.

Detection of Triacetone Triperoxide (TATP) and Hexamethylene Triperoxide Diamine (HMTD) from the Gas Phase with Differential Ion Mobility Spectrometry (DMS).

One of the significant problems in the modern world is the detection of improvised explosives made of materials synthesized at home. Such compounds include triacetone triperoxide (TATP) and hexamethylene triperoxide diamine (HMTD). An attempt was made to construct an instrument allowing for the simultaneous detection of both compounds despite the large difference of vapor pressure: very high for TATP and very low for HMTD.

Capillary Sensor for Detection of Amphetamine Precursors in Sewage Water.

This paper deals with the problem of detecting benzyl methyl ketone (BMK), which is a precursor of amphetamine that can be synthesized in home labs. The focus of our work was to identify an improvement for the analysis of sewage introduced into the municipal sewage system. The sensors used to detect BKM in these systems are often clogged and therefore cannot function properly.

Application of Ion Mobility Spectrometry for Permeability Studies of Organic Substances through Polymeric Materials.

Drift tube ion mobility spectrometers (DT IMS) allow the concentration of different organic compounds to be measured. This gives the opportunity to use these detectors in measuring the penetration of various substances through polymer membranes. Permeation measurements of two substances (2-heptanone and dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP)) through a cylindrical silicone rubber membrane were carried out.