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Chemical warfare agents (CWAs)and toxic industrial chemicals(TICs) are potential weapons in a terrorist's arsenal, ranging fromsophisticated nerve agents suchas GB (Sarin) to commonlyavailable chemicals such aschlorine. This broad range of

threats has led to the develop-ment of the Hazmatcad line ofAdvanced Hazardous MaterialChemical Agent Detectors. Thisdocument is designed to helpusers develop standard operatingprocedures for using theHazmatcad and Hazmatcad Plus

Detectors. These unitsare designed for ease-of-useand for competency withminimal training.

Hazmatcad Hazardous Material Chemical Agent Detector

A Guide for First Responders


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HazmatcadHazardous Material Chemical Agent Detector for First Responders

Understanding the Technology

First responders to a chemical attack may be police, reghters or emergency medical technicians. Their specialties require a wide range of talents and skills.However, analytical methods of chemical weapons identication may be unfamiliar.

Hazmatcad Detector function is basedupon surface acoustic wave (SAW) technology. The unit incorporates anarray of three small solid state sensorscoated with specic polymers. Time,amplitude, and signal patterns from all three SAW detectors are used todetermine if a nerve or blister agent ispresent and to eliminate false alarms.

The Hazmatcad Plus Detectorincorporates electrochemical cells inaddition to SAW sensors to detect thepresence of hydrogen cyanide (bloodagent), phosgene (choke agent), halogengases (chlorine, nitrogen dioxide,uorine) and hydride gases (arsine,hydrogen sulde). Electrochemicalcells are a common and well-deneddetection method. While they are lessspecic than SAW sensors, they provide

reliable results for classes of TIC gasesand vapors.

For the initial assessment of a potentialchemical warfare agent attack or toxicindustrial chemical spill, a HazmatcadDetector is the instrument of choice.

Deploying the Hazmatcad Detector

If evidence at the scene determinesa potential use of chemical warfareagents or toxic industrial chemicals,a Hazmatcad Detector should be selectedfor site entry and deployed in thefollowing manner:

1. Remove the Hazmatcad Detectorunit from the storage case and open the battery compartment door.Insert two fully-charged Sonylithium-ion model NP-550 into the battery compartment andclose the battery door.

2. Slide the three-position sample portcover, at the top of the instrument, to the DUST FILTERposition to helpprevent particulates from entering the unit.

3. Press the ONbutton. The Hazmat-cad Detector will begin a series ofdiagnostic selfchecks.

4. Upon successful completion of theself-test, the green SYS. OKstatusLED will begin ashing, indicating the Hazmatcad Detector unit isfunctioning properly. Should a faultbe detected, the HazmatcadDetector will display the faultinformation on the display.

Additionally, the remaining batterypower will be indicated on thedisplay as a 12-line bar graph (morelines mean more battery life).

5. Next the current mode of operation(FAST MODEor HI S MODE) willash on the display. The defaultmode is FAST.

6. At this point the Hazmatcad Detectorunit will perform a system purge tomake sure the instrument is free ofcontaminants that may haveaccumulated over time. During thisinitial start-up, WARM UPwill ashon the display.

Analytical instrumentsavailable to rst respondersfall into three generalcategories:

Detectors look for specicchemicals and alert the user if thare present in a sample. They shlittle or no interference and areused in a go/no-go type evaluatiDetectors are generally smaller,lighter and easier to use thanmonitors and analyzers but, havlimited exibility. HazmatcadDetectors are included within this equipment class. Detectorsare best suited for the personal

protection role.

Monitors generally are employwhen a chemical is known to bpresent and its concentrationmust be measured and monitorThis type of equipment quanti the concentration of a specicchemical and is generally moresensitive to a specic chemical than a detector. Monitors canreport false positives when non target chemicals are present.An example of a monitor is anion mobility spectrometer.Monitors are the rst choicein decontamination of victimsand equipment.

Analyzers are the mostsophisticated of the threeinstrument categories. Most hav

the ability to identify and quantseveral vapors or compoundssimultaneously. Analyzers are mexpensive and require more

training than detectors andmonitors. Mass spectrometers orgas chromatographs are exampleof this category of instrument.Analyzers are best suited to theevidence recovery or forensicinvestigation phases of an inciden


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7. When the display goes blank, theunit is operational. Additionally, theSYS. OKstatus LED will ash agreen light and the rst sampleanalysis will begin. After theanalysis is complete, theHazmatcad Detector will have asteady green ALL CLEARLED lightif the safe zone area has nocontamination, or it will alarm if ahazardous agent is present.

8. As the response team develops itsentry plan, let the HazmatcadDetector unit continue to run. Theinstrument will be ready for use inunder two minutes. (In low temperatures, it is advisable to start up the unit in a warm environment to minimize battery drain and maximize performance.)

9. Lastly, before leaving the safe zone, test the Hazmatcad Detector tomake sure it is properly detectingnerve and blister agents byexposing the unit to the vaporsimulant check source using thefollowing procedure:

a. Slide the three-position sampleport cover to the OPENposition.

b. Remove both caps from thesimulant check source and rmlyplace the tube against the sampleinlet port for 3 to 4 seconds while the sampling pump is operating.(Sampling longer may require running the unit for several minutes to clear out high levelsof simulant.)

c. If functioning correctly, thechemical contained in the

tube, DMMP (dimethylmethyl-phosphonate), will cause theHazmatcad Detector to displaya G alarm. A G alarm on theinstrument indicates it is properlydetecting both nerve and blisteragents.

d. Continue running the HazmatcadDetector until the ALL CLEARstatus LED displays a steadygreen light.

e. Slide the three position sampleport cover back to the DUSTFILTERposition.

f. NOTE: To check the unit's halogen

cell response, use chlorinebleach on a cotton swab heldclose to, but not touching thesample inlet port then repeatsteps d) and e).

10. The Hazmatcad Detector isnow ready for use. As youproceed into the potentiallyhazardous area, the HazmatcadDetector will respond with eithera continued ALL CLEARresponseor with an alarm. An alarm is

indicated by a red LEDand theassociated type and level of thechemical agent.

Instrument Decontamination

After the unit has been deployed and been in contact with a chemical warfare agent or other unknown compounds, it is necessary to check the Hazmatcad Detector for contamination:

1. Allow the instrument to run in cleanair for 15 minutes or longer topurge trace contaminants frominside the Hazmatcad Detector.

2. Turn off the Hazmatcad Detectorand slide the three-position sampleport cover to the CLOSEDposition.

3. The Hazmatcad Detector can nowbe wiped down with soapy water

or if dictated, a 10% bleachsolution.

4. The rubber boot should be properlydiscarded if it shows any visiblestaining.

5. Remove any residual liquids thenwipe down the HazmatcadDetector with clean water.

The best method of determiningwhether the decontamination wassuccessful is to place the HazmatcadDetector in a large plastic bag and sealit tightly. After 60 minutes, sample the airin the bag with another HazmatcadDetector or any other appropriateinstrument. If any trace contaminationis detected, repeat the instrumentdecontamination process or contactMSA for help.

Toggles between detected level

(LOW, MED or HIGH), and chemicalagent code (G, H, or TOX, BLoD, CHOK,HYdr, or HALO)


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Note: This Bulletin contains only a general description of theproducts shown. While uses and performance capabilitiesare described, under no circumstances shall the products beused by untrained or unqualied individuals and not until theproduct instructions including any warnings or cautionsprovided have been thoroughly read andunderstood. Only they contain the completeand detailed information concerning properuse and care of these products.

ID 0815-27-MC / March 2008 MSA 2008 Printed in U.S.A.

Corporate HeadquartersP.O. Box 426, Pittsburgh, PA 15230 USAPhone 412-967-3000www.MSAnet.com

U.S. Customer Service CenterPhone 1-800-MSA-2222Fax 1-800-967-0398

MSA CanadaPhone 1-800-672-2222Fax 1-800-967-0398

MSA MexicoPhone (52) 55 2122 5770Fax (52) 55 5359 4330

MSA InternationalPhone 412-967-3354Fax 412-967-3451

Training

In order to become competent withany tool, a certain amount of trainingis necessary. Hazmatcad Detectors aredesigned to minimize this time with simpleone button activation. Familiarization with

the instrument, its capabilities and itslimitations can be often accomplishedin less than one hour.

It is difcult to perform drills withequipment that does not provide real-world feedback. To provide rstresponders with realistic training,a Training Mode is included in allnew Hazmatcad Detectors, allowinginstruments to respond to commonchemicals as if they were chemicalwarfare agents.

Follow this process to provide realistic training opportunities using the Hazmatcad Detector in Training Mode:

1. Follow the normal start upprocedures.

2. When the LED display indicates therst bars of the battery life indicator,press and hold the MODEbuttonuntil the LED display shows themode of operation (e.g. FAST MODE).The audible alarm will activateperiodically, indicating that theHazmatcad Detector unit is inTraining Mode.

3. To activate a chemical warfareagent alarm use several drops(very small amounts) of the of thefollowing products:

Alcohols such as isopropylwill produce a G or nerveagent alarm.

Gasoline or other fuels willproduce a H or blister alarm.

4. To deactivate the Training Mode, turnoff the Hazmatcad Detector. The next time the unit is turned on, it will return

to the default detection mode.

The Training Mode allows instructors to develop more realistic simulationsand increase rst responder capabilities.Older or existing Hazmatcad Detectorscan be upgraded can be upgraded with this capability at no charge by contactingMSA.

Conclusion

Hazmatcad and Hazmatcad PlusDetectors are easy to use, reliableand dependable detectors designedfor the rst responder community.These instruments provide the ability toscreen for many chemical threats,

including the most likely chemicalwarfare agents as well as some of themost toxic industrial chemicals.

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0815 27 Mc Hazmatcadgde