Rapid Identification of Unknown Gases in Hazardous, Toxic and Volatile Environments

European Spectrometry Systems (UK) has launched the HazGas Detectorr ™ for 2009, the first man-portable Mass Spectrometer System to provide fast acquisition and detection of unknown compounds in Hazardous, Toxic and VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) environments. Capable of identifying up to 300,000 compounds, HazGas Detectorr ™ features ultra-fast sampling and acquisition, and is capable of detection from 100% to ppb levels without the need for any sample preparation whatsoever. Its simple to use GUI means that positive identification of hazardous gases can be made in less than two minutes.

Danny Smith and Graham Entwistle, of ESS, say that the “HazGas Detectorr ™ will revolutionise the way in which our Ports, Airports, Emergency response teams and security forces identify unknown toxic and hazardous gases”. “With its power of rapid detection, coupled with its ease of use, detection of Toxic gases, Chemical warfare agents, flammable gases, VOC’s and asphyxiants, HazGas Detectorr ™ will dramatically reduce identification times, thus potentially saving lives” continued Smith “This equipment will enable personnel to resolve dangerous situations more quickly, and more accurately than ever before”. “When the question of “What is it?” arises, no other instrument has the ability to identify over such a wide range of species (300,000), or with the range of detection and simplicity of sampling and operation” he said.

With the capability to sample from up to 800m away, personnel exposure is minimised, and Satellite Navigation co-ordinates can be stored alongside the time and date stamped acquired data, allowing users to obtain the “full picture” of events. Aside from its real-time monitoring capabilities, the instrument is also capable of data acquisition and identification from sample bags, using the ESS “SampleBagger™” option.

Straightforward, simplified operation means that knowledge of mass spectrometry is not required in order to operate the instrument, and the system’s modular design make for ease-of-use when operating the plug and play hardware options. HazGas Detectorr ™ is also an invaluable tool in the field of Environmental Monitoring, enabling rapid detection of unknown VOC’s and other compounds from emissive sources.