International Symposium on the Use of Thermal Desorption in Occupational, Medicinal and Environmental Chemical Analysis (October 9 and 10, 2001, Birmingham, Alabama, USA)

New air sampling methods are required in the USA to meet the challenge of stricter workplace regulations, particularly of carcinogens, such as benzene. In addition, workplace concerns have grown to encompass more complex issues, including sick building syndrome, again where more sensitive methods of analysis are required. In the environmental arena, current sampling and analysis methods have suffered because of analytical problems and the bulk and cost of the special containers required. In the past few years, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have begun to investigate, and publish, methods using solid sorbents and thermal desorption plus gas chromatography. In addition, over the past 15 years, thermal desorption has found many other applications. Researchers and practitioners in these areas have been isolated from each other and would benefit greatly from a single forum at which they could share their experiences and learn from each other. Such applications include investigations into microbial volatile organic compounds, exhaled breath analysis, waste stream analysis, chemical warfare agent detection, product emissions measurement, medical uses and arson investigations.

The Automated Methods Group of the Royal Society of Chemistry sponsors an annual workshop in the United Kingdom, where thermal desorption is a frequent subject of discussion. Except for a round-table on thermal desorption at the American Industrial Hygiene Association Conference & Exposition (Dallas, TX, 1997) and the EPA/Air & Waste Management Association's occasional Air Toxics symposium, there have not been any similar meetings in the USA.

An international symposium was proposed through the NIOSH Deep South Center for Occupational Safety and Health at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), to bring speakers with experience from Europe, together with investigators from the USA to explore the wealth of applications for the technique of thermal desorption. Topics for discussion included national and international standard methods, sorbent research, and quality control, as well as specific applications in the field of ambient and workplace air analysis, exhaled breath monitoring, product emissions measurement, microbial volatile organic compounds, and monitoring chemical weapons agents.

The symposium was held as planned at the Birmingham Marriott Hotel. Accommodations and facilities were rated highly, and the weather was perfect. At the last moment, due to the unfortunate occurrences on September 11th, two speakers were unable to make the conference. Nevertheless, alternate speakers were found to provide essentially the same information, thus maintaining the integrity of the program. Hard-copies of all the presentation materials were reproduced and provided as a conference package to the attendees, who were delighted with this innovation. Some of these presentations have been submitted to JEM and are published here.

The final roster included speakers and poster presenters from five European countries, as well as from the USA. The US speakers included representatives from two government agencies (EPA and NIOSH). All presenters were rated above average. Four students provided posters, including one from Germany. A poster prize of $500 was awarded to the best student poster.

Highlights of the symposium included Dr Ardith Grote of NIOSH and her excellent presentation on the wide scope of investigations performed in industrial situations (including a factory making chocolate-covered cherries), and Dr William “Bill” McClenny of EPA and his comparisons of on-line, canister and solid sorbent sampling of outdoor air, in the presence of humidity and ozone. The other speakers were Dr Richard H. Brown (UK Health and Safety Laboratory) who spoke on international and (deputizing for Dr Jan Levin, Swedish National Institute for Working Life) European standards, Dr Jay Jayanty (Research Triangle Institute, USA) and Dr Jan Kristensson (University of Stockholm, Sweden) discussing research activities, Dr Theo Hafkenscheid (Netherlands Meet-Institute) emphasizing quality control activities, Dr Peder Wolkoff (Arbeidsmiljoinstitut, Denmark) on analyzing emissions from products used in buildings, Dr John Cocker (UK Health and Safety Laboratory) on exhaled breath monitoring, Dr Charlene Bayer (Georgia Tech, USA) on microbial VOC monitoring and Dr Martin Harper (UAB, USA) on monitoring chemical warfare agents.

Nine exhibitors (Markes International, Perkin-Elmer, Gerstel, OI Analytics/CMS Field Products, Dynatherm/CDS, Dani, Entech Instruments, EAI Corporation, and SKC) rented booths and the organizers would like to thank them for their support. Markes International sponsored the faculty dinner.

Perhaps the flavour of the symposium can best be provided by some of the comments received:

“Really enjoyed the specific applications presented, these give a scope of real life application of the thermal desorption technique.”

“Strength is in the breadth of international participation.”

“The binder with the presentation slides is absolutely great! I wish all conferences did that.”

“I was also impressed with the overall organization of the symposium. Location was excellent—both the hotel and the city of Birmingham.”

“I hope there will be future conferences.”

The organizers would like to acknowledge financial support from CDC/PHS conference support grant R13/CCR418746-01-1, and from the Shell Foundation. The symposium was co-sponsored by Centers for Disease Control, NIOSH, and the Deep South Center for Occupational Safety and Health, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Public Health.

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