AWWA JAW60920

As a result of the events of 9/11, chemical weapons contamination has become a serious consideration. What has become apparent is that most water supply and distribution systems are vulnerable because of their expanse and accessibility. Although there now is recognition of this vulnerability, little is known about threat scenarios, acute concentrations, and how to detect an assault quickly enough to take emergency response. This study was undertaken to determine whether the new technology of photoionization/mass spectrometry could provide early detection of credible threats. This article discusses short-term acute levels and shows that these levels can be reached for credible threats. New instrumentation for chemical weapons contamination screening is simple and fast to use, detects at subacute concentrations, and gives automated red/green light indications with low false-negative and false-positive rates. Includes 23 references, tables, figures.