Rapid on-site identification of hazardous organic compounds at fire scenes using person-portable gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS)—part 2:water sampling and analysis

Building and factory fires pose a great risk to human and environmental health,due to the release of hazardous by-products of combustion.These hazardous compounds can dissipate into the environment through fire water run-off,and the impact can be immediate or chronic.Current laboratory-based methods do not report hazardous compounds released from a fire scene at the time and location of the event.Reporting of results is often delayed due to the complexities and logistics of laboratory-based sampling and analysis.These delays pose a risk to the health and wellbeing of the environment and exposed community.Recent developments in person-portable instrumentation have the potential to provide rapid analysis of samples in the field.A portable gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer(GC-MS)was evaluated for the on-site analysis of water samples for the identification of hazardous organic compounds at fire scenes.The portable GC-MS was capable of detecting and identifying a range of volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds in fire water run-off,and can be used in conjunction with conventional laboratory analysis methods for a comprehensive understanding of hazardous organics released at fire scenes.Deployment of this portable instrumentation provides first responders with a rapid,on-site screening tool to appropriately manage the run-off water from firefighting activities.This ensures that environmental and human health is proactively protected.