Detection tubes, nerve agents

Acoustic wave sensors are also used to detect nerve and blister agents. The surface acoustic wave chemical agent detector (SAW Mini-CAD) is a commercially available, pocket-sized instrument that can monitor for trace levels of toxic vapors of sulfur-based mustard agents (e.g., distilled mustard) and G nerve agents (e.g., tabun, sarin, soman) with a high degree of specificity. Colorimetric tubes are the... 

The M18 detection kit and the M256A1 kit are mihtary items. The M18 is a colorimetric device for measuring the concentration of selected airborne chemicals. The Ml8 comes with detector tubes for cyanide, phosgene. Lewisite, sulfur mustard, and nerve agents GA, GB, GD, and VX. 

The APD 2000 provides semi-quantitative identification of nerve agents. Colorimetric tubes are available which are designed to qualitatively detect vapors of phosphoric acid esters as well as the key decomposition products hydrogen fluoride (HP) and organic amines. Detection of agents with PIDs or FIDs may be possible. Detection and identification with FT-IR is possible provided that the appropriate reference spectra are available. 

Lin, Y., Lu, E, and Wang, J. (2004) Disposable carbon nano tube modified screen-printed biosensor for ampero-metric detection of organophosphorus pesticides and nerve agents. Electroanalysis, 16, 145-149. 

The Domestic Preparedness Program has tested two types of these tubes for CWA detection ability. For example, the thioether tubes can detect HD, and phosphoric acid ester tubes can detect nerve agents at very low concentrations. 

The Chemical Agent Water Test Kit M272 consists of colorimetric detector tubes and enzyme impregnated detection tickets for nerve agent detection. The kit is designed to detect the presence of chemical agents in water samples. 

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