Novichok A-230: Monitoring of Provisional Airborne Exposure Levels

A method was developed to monitor vaporous Novichok A-230 using depot area air monitoring system (DAAMS) tubes packed with Tenax-TA sorbent, which were solvent-extracted with methanol; the extract was concentrated via nitrogen evaporation, then analyzed by LC-MS/MS. Provisional concentration values, or Z levels, of A-230 were extrapolated from the general population limit (GPL) airborne exposure levels of VX, due to A-230’s similarity to VX as a low–vapor-pressure nerve agent. This monitoring method was conducted in accordance with all quality control (QC) criteria set forth in the U.S. Army CASARM Quality Assurance Plan, with an average percent recovery of 88%, a limit of quantitation (LOQ) of 0.012 ng/mL, a target action limit (TAL) of 0.041 ng/mL, and an uncertainty in found mass (UIFM) of 16%.