Sample-preparation techniques for the analysis of chemical-warfare agents and related degradation products

Chemical-warfare agents (CWAs) are toxic chemicals intended for use in mass destruction and terrorist attacks. Their presence in the environment is of great concern due to their rapid distribution and toxicity. The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons conducts proficiency tests for the offsite analysis of samples contaminated with CWAs and their degradation or oxidation products.In this article, we review recent trends in the development of sample-preparation techniques for efficient extraction of Chemical Weapons Convention-related chemicals from environmental and industrial samples. We discuss extraction methodologies (e.g., solvent extraction, solid-phase microextraction, solid-phase extraction, and gas-phase and headspace analysis) and their advances.

► Sample-preparation methods for chemical analysis for the Chemical Weapons Convention.
► Stir-bar sorptive extraction, and single-drop and solid-phase microextraction.
► Headspace methods and other gas-sampling techniques are discussed in detail.
► We set out the advantages of new methods, which were incorporated in a table.