ABSTRACT
By analyzing the agent in a laboratory using a variety of sophisticated instruments, one can usually precisely pin down the identity of the chemical or biological weapon (CBW) agent. Mass spectrometry is often used for analysis and it is a very powerful method. In the Iran-Iraq War, a nerve gas used by Iraq was identified as tabun by a Swiss laboratory in 1982. Laboratory analysis using elaborate equipment yields accurate results but is time consuming. Recently developed small, handheld chemical or biological agent detectors use infrared (IR) and Raman spectroscopy. A chemical agent monitor (CAM) is useful, but the detection is limited. The idea is to place many chemical agent detection (CAD) systems at the location where poisonous gas may pass through. Some of the methods, such as mass spectroscopy, can also be used for biological agent identification. There are some methods that can only be used for biological agents such as immune assays.
