Thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry methods and strategy for screening of chemical warfare agents, their precursors and degradation products in environmental, industrial and waste samples

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is the international organisation set to oversee the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention treaty that prohibits the development, production, acquisition, stockpiling, retention, transfer or use of chemical weapons by States Parties. To this end, the OPCW has established the strict verification procedures relying essentially upon the on-site sampling and analysis. A transportable analytical laboratory was carefully assembled and versed to fit the task. Following more frequent deployment, a major deficiency of the on-site laboratory capacity and the number of weaknesses of the on-site sample preparation approach were revealed. The aim of this PhD thesis was to enhance the capability and efficiency of the OPCW on-site laboratory. The work resulted in a set of novel analytical methods and strategies for the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry instrumental technique that are not restricted to the chemical warfare agent related field, but also convenient for any forensic or environmental field laboratory use.