Detection, Identification and Monitoring of Chemical Warfare Agents: a Comparison Between on-Field and in-Lab Approach

Toxic chemical warfare agents, CWAs, when are used in criminal acts (terrorism, assassination, sabotage) or in warfare, represent a non-negligible threat to the life of professionals and first responders (firefighters, law-enforcement or armed forces, emergency healthcare service, etc.) involved in civil protection and emergency operations. Detection, identification and monitoring procedures are an essential step in responding to events involving CWAs, in order to obtain information on the (supposedly) contaminated incident scene and prevent undesired exposure or any form of direct contact between the operators and the toxic agent. In fact, not only the recent alleged use of CWAs in the civil war scenario in the Middle East or in targeted attacks in Europe, but also the permanent risk of accidental release of industrial highly hazardous and/or toxic materials in major incidents have highlighted the key role of an early and effective on-site detection of harmful agents.