Chemical analysis of environmental samples collected in Iraq: Analysis for the presence of chemical warfare agents

Abstract

Abstract Nineteen samples from the United Nations Special Commission 65 on Iraq (UNSCOM 65) were analyzed for chemical warfare (CW) related compounds using a variety of spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques including multinuclear NMR, GC (phosphorus, sulfur and atomic emission detection), GC/MS (electron impact and chemical ionization), tandem MS, HPLC/ion chromatography, HPLC/thermospray/MS, FTIR, ICP and GFAA. The samples consisted of one piece of cloth, one piece of wood, six waters, six soils, two vegetation samples and two mortar shell crosscut sections. No intact CW agents were detected; however, diethyl phosphoric acid was unambiguously identified in three of the water samples and ethyl phosphoric acid was tentatively identified, at lower levels, in one of the water samples. Diethyl phosphoric acid and ethyl phosphoric acid are degradation products of munitions‐grade Tabun (GA), an organophosphorus nerve agent. However, these compounds are also degradation products of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) scheduled compound Amiton as well as many commercially available pesticides.