ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 5

Comparison of the Eluting Efficiency of Carbon Disulfide with Diethyl Ether: The Case for Laboratory Safety
Armstrong, AT
Vice president, Armstrong Forensic Laboratories, TX

Lentini, JJ
Manager, Fire Investigations, Applied Technical Services, Inc., GA

(Received 18 October 1995; accepted 2 August 1996)

Abstract

Carbon disulfide is the solvent of choice for eluting adsorption packages prior to analysis by GC/FID. In laboratories which utilize mass selective detectors instead of flame ionization detectors, diethyl ether, a much friendlier solvent, can be used in place of the CS². No loss of sensitivity occurs, and there is a salutary impact on bench workers' health as well as on the aroma of the fire debris laboratory.

Keywords:
forensic science, fire debris analysis, carbon disulfide, diethyl ether, adsorption/elution, laboratory safety

Paper ID: JFS14117J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS14117J
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