Monitoring of Toxic Industrial Chemicals (TICs)

Toxic industrial chemicals (TICs) or materials (TIMs) are substances that exhibit harmful effects on humans but are commonly used in manufacturing facilities, pharmaceutical chemical plants. Exposure to those chemicals are seriously harmful especially after multiple low-level exposures.

With its GC-IMS device G.A.S. developed a highly selective and sensitive measuring system for rapid monitoring of dimethyl sulfate (DMSO₄), toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and trans-4-methyl cyclohexyl isocyanate (4-MCI) in industrial areas. The instrument continuously samples the ambient air, which shall be monitored. The run time could be decreased to a value of 2 min including a GC separation to avoid matrix effects and also including a cleaning step of the instrument’s gas touching parts in order to avoid carry-over. The measurement devices were calibrated for monitoring of DMSO₄ and isocyanate species down to the low ppb_v range depending on customers needs.

Dimethyl Sulfate

Dimethyl sulfate (DMSO₄) is commonly used as a reagent for the methylation of phenoles, amines, and thiols. In industry DMSO₄ is preferred, compared to other methylating agents, because of its low cost and high reactivity. It is known that DMSO₄ is carcinogenic, mutagenic, highly poisonous, corrosive, environmentally hazardous and volatile. The substance can be absorbed through skin, mucous membranes, and gastrointestinal tract.

Isocyanates

Due to their electrophilic properties, isocyanates are reactive towards many nucleophilic substances like alcohols, amines or even water. Several isocyanates are extremely poisoning and exposure can result in lung edema, emphysema, hemorrhages, bronchial pneumonia and death, e.g.

Other Compounds

G.A.S. develops monitoring devices for a variety of toxic, harmful or dangerous substances, such as benzene, toluene, xylene isomers, acrolein or acetaldehyde, just to name a few. For further information and requests please fill in the contact form.