Application of headspace analysis, solvent extraction, thermal desorption and gas chromatography—mass spectrometry to the analysis of chemical warfare samples containing sulphur mustard and related compounds

Abstract

Samples of soil, munition fragments and wool, associated with a chemical warfare incident involving sulphur mustard, were analysed using headspace, solvent extraction and thermal desorption techniques combined with full scanning gas chromatography—mass spectrometry. Quantitative analysis was undertaken for sulphur mustard, mustard sulphoxide and thiodiglycol, using solvent extraction and gas chromatography—mass spectrometry with selected ion monitoring. In a soil sample contaminated at ppm (w/w) levels all methods gave positive results for mustard and related compounds. Selected ion monitoring and thermal desorption were the more useful techniques at low ppb (w/w) levels. Cyclic decomposition products 1,4-thioxane and 1,4-dithiane appear to be useful indicators of mustard contamination when using thermal desorption analysis. The hydrolysis product thiodiglycol and hydrolysis/elimination product 2-(vinylthio)ethanol appear to be useful indicators of mustard contamination in soil samples when employing extraction methods.