Rapid on-site identification of hazardous organic compounds at fire scenes using person-portable gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)—part 1: air sampling and analysis

Forensic Sciences Research

Andrew Symons¹  Jeremy Fewtrell²  David O’Brien³  Graham Kingsland³  Laura Wythes⁴  Paul Johnstone⁵  Chris Lennard⁶  Val Spikmans⁶  Rylee Lam⁶ 

[1] Environment Protection Science Branch, Office of Environment and Heritage;Fire & Rescue NSW;Fire Investigation and Research Unit;Hazardous Incidents and Environmental Health Branch, New South Wales Environment Protection Authority;Operations Capability Directorate, Fire & Rescue NSW;Western Sydney University;

关键词: forensic sciences;    gas chromatography-mass spectrometry;    portable gc-ms;    air pollution;    fire;    volatile organic compounds;    field analysis;    needle trap;   

DOI  :  10.1080/20961790.2019.1654205

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Recent advancements in person-portable instrumentation have resulted in the potential to provide contemporaneous results through rapid in-field analyses. These technologies can be utilised in emergency response scenarios to aid first responders in appropriate site risk assessment and management. Large metropolitan fires can pose great risk to human and environmental health due to the rapid release of hazardous compounds into the atmosphere. Understanding the release of these hazardous organics is critical in understanding their associated risks. Person-portable gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was evaluated for its potential to provide rapid on-site analysis for real-time monitoring of hazardous organic compounds at fire scenes. Air sampling and analysis methods were developed for scenes of this nature. Controlled field testing demonstrated that the portable GC-MS was able to provide preliminary analytical results on the volatile organic compounds present in air samples collected from both active and extinguished fires. In-field results were confirmed using conventional laboratory-based air sampling and analysis procedures. The deployment of portable instrumentation could provide first responders with a rapid on-site assessment tool for the appropriate management of scenes, thereby ensuring environmental and human health is proactively protected and scientifically informed decisions are made for the provision of timely advice to stakeholders.

【 授权许可】

Unknown