Sampler for Collection and Analysis of Low Vapor Pressure Chemical (LVPC) Particulates/Aerosols

Detection of low vapor pressure chemicals (LVPCs) such as pesticides and other toxic/hazardous materials on various environmental surfaces as well as LVPC aerosols is a significant challenge for current vapor phase detectors. We describe a novel sampling device which utilizes stainless steel screens coated with a sticky polydimethylsiloxane coating for collecting LVPCs aerosolized off of a surface. Results are presented for the collection and detection of a pesticide simulant, dimethyl methylphosphonate sorbed onto silica gel (DMMP/SG), using direct analysis in real time-cylindrical ion trap mass spectrometry (DART-CITMS).