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

Abstract

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.

Identification of hazardous organic substances for fire investigation with portable GC-MS

“…With a helium GC carrier gas supply cartridge (2500 psig, 90 cc) on board, the system is self-contained. The equipment has improved onboard library search capabilities, calibration and performance validation processes, the NIOSH database, quantitative results, and two additional sampling attachments [7,8,10].…”

“…Person-portable instrumentation introduced into the emergency response mission at the fire scene can give important intelligence on the ground that bridges the gap between the initial discharge of hazardous organic compounds and the reporting of confirmatory data from laboratory operations [7,8,9].…”

Portable gas chromatography–mass spectrometry method for the in-field screening of organic pollutants in soil and water at pollution incidents

“…First responders to environmental incidents aim to protect the environment and human health (NSWEPA 2020 ). Field investigators rely on results obtained by a reach-back laboratory to manage the polluted site (Lam et al 2019a ; Spikmans 2015 ). However, in rapidly unfolding emergency response scenarios, these results are not typically available whilst the site investigation is still taking place, as the turnaround times of the reach-back laboratory are too long (Kaljurand 2014 ; Kalnicky and Singhvi 2001 ; Lam et al 2018 ).…”

“…Due to the complex nature of the samples that are commonly encountered during environmental investigations (Cattle et al 2004 ; Kaljurand 2014 ; Spikmans 2015 ), methods that are developed for in-field application should not only be capable of detecting common target compounds in a range of matrices but should also be capable of screening and identifying non-target compounds using library searches (Galuszka et al 2015 ; Lam et al 2019a ). This would provide for a generic approach and would generate sufficient information to guide the on-site investigation until confirmatory results are provided by the reach-back laboratory (Lam et al 2019b ; Valcárcel and Cárdenas 2005 ).…”