Unit 2.2: Chemical agents II

Analysis of organic and selected inorganic hazardous substances

Unit 2.2, "Chemical agents II", in Division 2 analyses hazardous organic substances and selected hazardous inorganic substances.

The aim of organic analysis is to determine the airborne concentration levels of organic gases and vapours. The focal points here are in the fields of organic solvents, aliphatic and aromatic amines, pesticides, nitrosamines and anaesthetic gases. Gas chromatography (after solvent desorption) with various detectors is used as the analysis technique. To study indoor samples, gas chromatography with thermal desorption is used.

The special inorganic substances include for example inorganic acids, caustic alkali or ammonia which are analysed using ion chromatography.

The unit also analyses certain groups of hazardous substances that require special techniques or know-how. These include alkanolamines, biocides (eg: cathon), cooling lubricants or explosives that are analysed using ion chromatography, infrared spectrometry, capillary electrophoresis or potentiometric analysis.

In addition, the round-robin tests and sampling exercises that BGIA arranges for in-company measurement stations are coordinated for the analysis of hazardous substances.

Other hazardous inorganic and organic substances are analysed in unit 2.1, "Chemical agents I", and unit 2.3, "Dusts - Fibres".