Rapid Screening for Chemical Weapons Infiltration in Drinking Water

Abstract

This article discusses the development by the city of Houston, Texas, of an early warning capability based on photoionization/mass spectrometry (PI/MS) screening technology. The PI/MS at Houston currently screens for the factory‐loaded chemical weapons compounds as well as new ones, such as atrazine and dursban, added by plant personnel. The instrument's screening library can be expanded routinely for both standard and nonstandard compounds, providing an additional tool for identifying compounds that are not routinely monitored in drinking water samples. The PI/MS analyzer screens distribution water and raw water samples from all the city's plants, and is also used as a quick screening method to test water from all components of the system. The high‐throughput capabilities are important in the event of an emergency or heightened security concern in which a greatly increased number of samples may need to be quickly screened. The short sampling times and automated analysis are also advantageous for maximizing staff resources.