Rapid quantification of dimethyl methylphosphonate from activated carbon particles by static headspace gas chromatography mass spectrometry

•Analyzed dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) from activated carbon.•The method produced a linear range of 2.48–620 g DMMP/kg carbon.•DMMP was rapidly analyzed from a DMMP-exposed activated carbon respirator filter.•Mapping of DMMP throughout the filter is possible with this method.

Activated carbon (AC) particles are utilized as an adsorbent for binding hazardous vapors in protective equipment. The binding affinity and utilization of these AC particles should be known to ensure effective and efficient use. Therefore, a simple and effective method was developed for the quantification of the chemical warfare agent simulant, dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP), from AC particles. Static headspace gas chromatography mass-spectrometry with internal standard, DMMP-d6, was used to perform the analysis. The method produced a linear dynamic range of 2.48–620 g DMMP/kg carbon and a detection limit of 1.24 g DMMP/kg carbon. Furthermore, the method produced a coefficient of variation of less than 16% for all intra- and inter-assay analyses. The method provided a simple and effective procedure for quantifying DMMP from AC particles and was applied to the analysis of a DMMP-exposed AC protective respirator filter.