Semi-continuous high speed gas analysis of generated vapors of chemical warfare agents

A method is presented for the continuous analysis of generated vapors of th e nerve agents soman and sarin and the blistering agent sulfur mustard. By using a gas sampling valve and a very short (15 cm) column connected to an on-column injector with a 'standard length' column, the system can either b e calibrated or used for performing high speed gas analyses. When using a f lame ionization detector, the detection limit was ca. 100 ppb (ca. 0.5-1.0 mg/m(3)). This technique is applied in inhalation toxicokinetic studies of nerve agents and mustard gas in the guinea pig.