Assessment of Portable HAZMAT Sensors for First Responders
Abstract
The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) Sensor, Surveillance, and Biometric Technologies (SSBT)
Center of Excellence (CoE) has undertaken an assessment of portable hazardous material
(HAZMAT) sensors to determine if commercially available devices exist that meet the full range
of requirements. When emergency first responders respond to an accident or disaster scene, they
often do so without any knowledge of whether they may be entering an area that has potentially
harmful or deadly chemical hazards. A small, portable, wearable, and unobtrusive gas detector
that could identify and quantify a wide range of hazardous gases would aid the first responders
by indicating whether they might inadvertently be entering a hazardous area. The detector would
identify and quantify the hazard, allowing first responders to quickly take measures to protect
themselves and those around them. By continuously monitoring the atmosphere, the device may
also be able to indicate that a clandestine laboratory is in the area by identifying solvent vapors
and chemicals typically used in certain illegal operations (e.g., drug manufacturing).
Commercially available equipment used for gas detection ranges from small units that can detect
only a single gas to devices that can sample, detect, and identify a wide range of hazardous
gases. The technologies used for gas detection determine the abilities of the detector as well as
the size and weight of the equipment. Small, wearable gas detectors tend to be able to only detect
a small number of gases or gas types, while the detectors that are able to detect and identify a
wide range of gases tend to be too large and heavy to be used unobtrusively (and require
technical training).
It is the conclusion of the CoE that there does not exist a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS)
device that meets the first responder needs in full. This effort has not been able to identify any
commercially available equipment that is unobtrusive and able to detect a wide range of gases.
This report identifies many commercially available gas detectors, discusses the sensing
technologies used by them, and highlights devices of note that meet a significant subset of the
technology requirements.
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