Innovative Technologies for Chemical Security

doi:10.1515/ci-2018-0429

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Innovative Technologies for Chemical Security

Published/Copyright: October 29, 2018

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From the journal Chemistry International Volume 40 Issue 4

Pure and Applied Chemistry, Special topic issue October 2018

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), IUPAC, The National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine of the USA, the Brazilian Academy of Sciences, and the Brazilian Chemical Society held a workshop, “Innovative Technologies for Chemical Security”, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 3-5 July 2017.

This event was part of a four-workshop series held to inform the report of the OPCW Scientific Advisory Board on developments in science and technology to the Fourth Review Conference of the Chemical Weapons Convention, which will be held in November 2018. The workshop explored the potential of new technologies to enhance capabilities for the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention.

There is a continuing need for recognition that emerging scientific developments can have beneficial applications with respect to implementation of the Convention, particularly in prevention of re-emergence of chemical weapons. The objectives of this workshop were to present, discuss and critically evaluate the emergence and practical applications of new and existing technologies—as tools for detecting biochemical change in complex environments—and the applications of these technologies in support of chemical disarmament and chemical security.

This issue of Pure and Applied Chemistry presents a series of papers that originate from topics discussed in the workshop. This preface describes the scientific review process for the Chemical Weapons Convention and how it was supported by the Rio de Janeiro workshop, as well as introducing the papers in the collection and their corresponding authors.

The Papers

Chemistry and Diplomacy, by Jonathan Forman and Christopher Timperley, introduces the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. It explains the role of the Scientific Advisory Board as an independent science advice mechanism and its role in preparation for the Fourth Review Conference.

Innovative Technologies for Chemical Security, by Jonathan Forman, Christopher Timperley, and the twenty-four other members of the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) at the time of the workshop. The paper provides an overview of the Rio de Janeiro workshop, describing the thematic areas discussed, their potential applications in chemical security, and how innovation might benefit disarmament communities.

Central Nervous System (CNS) Acting Chemicals in the Chemical Weapons Convention, by Robert Mathews, describes the types and properties of chemicals that have been referred to as Incapacitating Chemical Agents, including opioids of the fentanyl class, and their relevance to the Chemical Weapons Convention. It argues that the term Central Nervous System Acting Chemicals is a more accurate and appropriate description of psychochemicals such as fentanyls, which will hopefully facilitate more constructive discussions within the OPCW.

Unprojecting Stand-off Detection Data of Airborne Chemicals Using Dispersion Modelling and Data Fusion, by Oscar Björnham, Håkan Grahn, and Niklas Brännström, presents an analysis of the sulfur dioxide emissions produced by a fire set by Daesh (Islamic State) on 20 October 2016 at the Al-Mishraq sulfur mine during the battle of Mosul. By incorporating a long-range dispersion model, a source term was found that gave rise to the best reproduction of the measured sulfur dioxide concentration fields over the affected areas. The simulation data used a probit analysis to estimate the risk to human health at ground level.

Targeted Catalytic Degradation of Organophosphates: Pursuing Sensors, by Leandro Hostert, Renan B. Campos, Jéssica E. Fonsaca, Valmi B. Silva, Sirlon F. Blaskievicz, José G. L. Ferreira, Willian Takarada, Naiane Naidek, Yane H. Santos, Leonardo Nascimento, Aldo J. G. Zarbin, and Elisa S. Orth, describes the use of catalysts for degrading organophosphorus pesticides to produce sensors for these chemicals. Sensors of this type may also have potential use for detection of organophosphorus nerve agents. Professor Orth’s work focuses on targeted functionalization of graphene oxide and carbon nanotubes combined with metallic nanoparticles to prepare nanocatalysts for organophosphorus compound degradation. Thin films of these nanocatalysts show potential as surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy sensors.

Chem/Bio Wearable Sensors: Current and Future Directions, by Richard Ozanich, reviews existing and emerging wearable sensors for chemical and biological threat agents, identifying the essential enabling developments, expected capabilities, and key challenges, both as self-monitoring and environmental sensors.

Participants at a workshop on innovative technologies for chemical security in Rio de Janeiro

Potential of Hyperspectral Imaging to Detect and Identify the Impact of Chemical Warfare Compounds on Plant Tissue, by Matheus Thomas Kuska, Jan Behmann, and Anne-Katrin Mahlein: Plant physiological and histological changes can be assessed by optical sensors. The most promising methods include hyperspectral sensing, thermography, chlorophyll fluorescence, and 3D-imaging. Thereby, hyperspectral imaging offers insights into plant processes, e.g. during pathogenesis or abiotic stresses.

Collection and Processing Samples in Remote and Dangerous Places; the Environmental Sample Processor as a Case Study, by James Birch, describes methods for collecting water samples in remote or dangerous places to help identify chemical spills, discover clandestine weapons production, or determine possible biological contamination of waterways. The Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) has developed the Environmental Sample Processor (ESP), a microbiology laboratory-in-a-can, that allows extended presence with high frequency sampling. In addition to detecting harmful algae blooms and the toxins they produce, the ESP now has expanded analytical capabilities. A newer version of the ESP is now being tested on an autonomous underwater vehicle.

Low-Cost Monitoring Buoys Network Tracking Biogeochemical Changes in Lakes and Marine Environments—A Regional Case Study, by Alejandro J. Vitale, Gerardo M.E. Perillo, Sibila A. Genchi2, Andrés H. Arias, and M. Cintia Piccolo, describes the main features and innovations of a low-cost monitoring buoys network deployed in a temperate region of Argentina to record extend time series at high-frequency.

Advice from the Scientific Advisory Board of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons on Isotopically Labelled Chemicals and Stereoisomers in Relation to the Chemical Weapons Convention, by Christopher Timperley, Jonathan Forman, and the twenty-four other members of the SAB in 2016. This paper provides an example of science advice for policy, focusing on a request for advice on how isotopically labeled variants and stereoisomers of chemicals defined on a schedule that indicates verification obligations should be handled. The paper provides an example of how fundamental concepts from chemistry impact regulatory issues and how science advice is communicated and translated into policy decisions. The paper provides an example of a nation whose legislation on compliance with the Chemical Weapons Convention was updated after receiving and considering advice from the SAB.

See PAC preface by the Organizing Committee Mark C. Cesa, Vitor Francisco Ferreira, Jonathan E. Forman, Cheng Tang, Christopher M. Timperley, Camly Tran, and Bernard West, published online ahead of print 27 July 2018, https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2018-0701 and references therein.

Workshop report by Bernard West, Chem Int 2018, 40(1), pp. 37-38, https://doi.org/10.1515/ci-2018-0118

IUPAC project 2017-001-1-020, https://iupac.org/project/2017-001-1-020

Online erschienen: 2018-10-29

Erschienen im Druck: 2018-10-01

©2018 IUPAC & De Gruyter. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. For more information, please visit: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

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https://doi.org/10.1515/ci-2018-0429