Tracing chemical substances 

For a little over a year, COWI has been using the only HAPSITE measuring instrument in Denmark to measure chemical substances in the air above and below ground. The instrument is a portable GC/MS that can immediately identify unknown substances and determine how high the concentrations are.

COWI Environmental Technician Christian Buck explains: "It gives you the advantage that you can immediately plan a further survey. We do not need to await the results of tests as before, which would entail a visit to the laboratory."

Pollution and indoor climate

COWI is currently using the instrument to assess soil pollution – so-called soil gas measurements – and for working environment and indoor climate surveys. One survey involved fumes emitting from office flooring on a certain company’s premises.

Christian Buck recalls: "People had been complaining about the indoor climate, so we measured the fumes from the flooring in the office concerned and in the adjoining offices. And there were clearly more fumes being emitted from the flooring that people were complaining about." The company was recommended to lay new flooring.

Only your fantasy sets the limits

In soil pollution surveys it is possible to trace unknown pollution and to demarcate the extent of pollution by taking further measurements.

"But only your fantasy sets the limits for the uses to which you can put the instrument,” continues Christian Buck. “For instance, it can also be used for screening of evaporation from products such as toys that have odorants added. It is a quick way to identify chemical substances and the result can be used to identify critical products."

It takes only 5-15 minutes to carry out a measurement, which makes the HAPSITE particularly well suited to fieldwork.

Able to measure war gases

The instrument is also well suited to crisis situations. In the USA the military has measuring instruments on standby in case of a chemical attack by terrorists. HAPSITE comes complete with a special library that enables identification and quantification of war gases for rapid response, so that the appropriate action can be rapidly implemented.

"When dealing with dangerous substances, being able to act quickly is a real strength of the HAPSITE," says Christian Buck.

By Gitte Petersen

Posted 04.05.2005