Abstract

The Agilent Mobile Laboratory takes the full power of theanalytical laboratory to the incident site to detect chemi-cal warfare agents, biological warfare agents, and toxicindustrial compounds. This description of the laboratory'sfacilities, instrumentation, and capabilities is a supplement to the referenced video presentation [1].

Introduction

The Agilent Mobile Laboratory is an integratedanalytical platform equipped with state-of-the-artmeasurement systems. It is configured to detectand confirm the presence of chemical and biologi-cal agents in air, water, soil, or food supplies. Thismobile platform allows for near real-time, onsitemeasurements, resulting in more rapid access toinformation and therefore enabling faster decision-making. The unit also offers the benefit of avoidingthe transportation of hazardous materials overlong distances, thus reducing the potential for accidental exposure or contamination.

The key to the success of the mobile lab is itssafety-oriented design. Some of the safety featuresof the unit include: a pressurized air system, ClassIII glovebox, biological safety cabinet, and two airlocks [2].

The Agilent Mobile Laboratory for Chemicaland Biological Defense

Technical Overview

As a mobile vehicle with a fully functional lab, theAgilent Mobile Laboratory offers near real-timeresults that, in an emergency, may be critical insaving lives and protecting public health.

A guide to facilities, instrumentation, and capabilities ofthe Agilent Mobile Laboratory

Overview of the Mobile Platform

The mobile platform is based on a specially-modified, Ford heavy-duty truck, equipped with aV-10 gasoline engine, automatic transmission,power steering, 4-wheel power disc brakes, andheavy-duty springs. The platform includes bothside and rear-entry doors with dual-pane windows.The rear door leads into the sample preparationcompartment, and the side door leads into theanalysis compartment.

Interior view of the Agilent Mobile Laboratory.

Located in each corner underneath the platform,four electro-hydraulically controlled jacks stabilizethe entire platform. The control compartment forthe stabilizer jacks is conveniently located at theside of the platform. Adjustments can be made toeach jack, if necessary.

The mobile platform is equipped with two genera-tors, one on each side. These are controlleddirectly from the outside or from a control panellocated inside the laboratory compartment.

All components of the mobile platform are clearlylabeled to facilitate efficient laboratory setup anduse.

Additionally, there are filtered fresh air intakesand exhaust vents with HEPA filtration units foreach of the two laboratory compartments. This fil-tration system ensures that the air coming intoand being exhausted out of each of the lab com-partments is free of contaminants. This air handling system also ensures that the sampleanalysis compartment is kept at positive pressurerelative to the sample preparation compartment.

Constructed to Meet Biological SafetyLevel-3 (BSL-3) Requirements

Effective biological containment and the associ-ated BSL rating requires a combination of speciallydesigned and constructed facilities, the availabilityand appropriate use of personal protection equip-ment, and documented compliance with good labo-ratory practices (GLP) and techniques. Althoughthere are currently no formal requirements for amobile BSL-3 facility, the Agilent Mobile Labora-tory was designed and fabricated for BSL-3 containment based upon extrapolation of therequirements for a fixed BSL-3 laboratory. Some ofthese design features include:

• Walls, ceilings, and counters are designed to beeasy to clean and decontaminate

• Walls, ceilings and floors are sealed to preventair leaks

• Laboratory access is restricted; windows aresealed shut

• Laboratory air is directly exhausted to the outside through HEPA filters

• A biological safety cabinet and Class III glovebox is available for handling of infectiousagents

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As the mobile laboratory has already beendesigned and constructed for BSL-3 containment,true BSL-3 certification would further requirecomprehensive documentation of operating proce-dures, as well as equipping the laboratory with therequired personal protection equipment.

The Sample Preparation Compartment

This compartment is a fully functional samplepreparation facility that can safely handle poten-tially hazardous chemical and biological materialsand convert them into forms appropriate for analy-sis. It was designed in conjunction with the USArmy and Agilent channel partners, who are lead-ers in their fields, to ensure the safety of the analysts.

The compartment is maintained at negative pres-sure versus the sample analysis compartment. Rawsamples are introduced directly into the Class IIIglovebox from the outside through an airlock. Theglovebox and HEPA filtration system are self-contained, allowing the laboratory technicians tosafely receive and handle unknown materials of apossible toxic or harmful nature.

View of a Class III glovebox incorporated into the Agilent Mobile Laboratory. Photo courtesy of Purified-Germfree, Ormond Beach, FL.

This compartment is also equipped with a Class IIbiological safety cabinet. This allows for samplepreparation to be done in a clean, safe, laminar air-flow environment. The biological safety cabinet canaccommodate an optional incubator.

Prepared samples are passed into the analysiscompartment through another airlock.

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The Sample Analysis Compartment

This compartment is a fully functional, well-equipped laboratory that, in its standard configu-ration, contains three Agilent analyticalmeasurement systems. These instruments are usedfor the detection and confirmation of toxic indus-trial compounds (TIC), chemical warfare agents(CWA), and biological warfare agents (BWA). Anoptional fourth instrument, such as a liquid chro-matograph/mass spectrometer (LC/MS), induc-tively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer (ICP/MS)or BioAnalyzer, can be added to further expandthe analytical capabilities of this laboratory. Eachinstrument in this compartment has its own independently filtered exhaust vent.

The laboratory can be equipped with an optionalheated transfer line for remote air sampling. Theheated transfer line is installed directly to anintake pumping system, which is attached to ana-lytical instrumentation located inside the sampleanalysis compartment. The other end of the heatedtransfer line can be inserted into buildings, vehi-cles, shipping containers, or any other area wheredirect air sampling is needed.

The sample analysis compartment is designed withample storage space, wide door cabinets, severalstorage drawers, and shelves. The work areas arewell lit with ceiling lights. There is refrigeratedstorage for samples or chemicals. Additional roofmounted air conditioners are included in bothcompartments of the mobile platform.

The CWA Detection and Confirmation System

Developed in cooperation with the U.S. Army, thissystem is configured to analyze samples from air,liquid, solid, and soil for CWAs. This technology isused extensively in support of the Army’s weaponsdefense, monitoring and demilitarizing programs.The system has been demonstrated effective in thedetection and confirmation of nerve agents such assarin gas and VX, as well as for blister agents, suchas mustard gas.

The CWA detection and confirmation system iscomprised of an Agilent Technologies 6890N GasChromatograph, 5973N Mass Spectrometer, and aDynatherm Model IACEM 980 Thermal Desorber.The Agilent Technologies 6890N Gas Chromato-graph comes equipped with a split/splitless capil-lary injector, automatic flow control, and adual-wavelength Flame Photometric Detector (FPD).

The Agilent 5973N Mass Spectrometer detector(MSD) provides a mass range from 1.6-800 atomicmass units. The mass axis stability of the detectoris 0.15 atomic mass units over a 12-hour period.The superior stability specification of this detectorpermits its use in this mobile platform. In addition,the 5973N comes equipped with an electron-impactionization source and turbo-molecular pump. Thisinstrument configuration allows testing of air (in adirect or remotely collected mode), liquid, soil, andsolid samples. Typical airborne sample test sensi-tivities are on the order of nanograms per cubicmeter for the nerve agents GA, GB, GD, GF, VX,and for the blister agents HD and HNx. An exampleof a chromatogram showing detected CWAs isgiven in Figure 1.

A review of the latest techniques and methods forthe analysis of CWAs is now available. See Reference 3.

Femtogram levels of toxic industrial chemicalssuch as acrolein, methyl isocyanate, parathion,phosgene, and toluene 2,4-diisocyanate are attain-able with this and the second combined 6850/5973 GC/MS installed in this compartment.

The CWA detection and confirmation system.

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TIC Detection and Confirmation System

One of the most challenging aspects of planningthe analytical response to the release of a TIC isthe vast number of potential target chemicals. TheU.S. EPA Chemical Emergency Preparedness andPrevention Office maintains a list of 356“extremely hazardous substances.” Although nosingle measurement technique would be able toanalyze for all of the compounds listed, AgilentTechnologies offers several different complimen-tary techniques which could be used in tandem toprovide near-comprehensive analytical capability.

The TIC Detection and Confirmation System:which consists of an Agilent 6850 or 6890 GasChromatograph and a 5973N MSD, offers thewidest applicability for the analysis of hazardouschemicals. This system is configured for the detec-tion and confirmation of unknown chemical com-pounds in samples from water and food supplies.It is also suitable for detection of nonweaponchemical spills, explosives, and environmental contaminants. The system includes a sophisticated

spectral search and deconvolution algorithm alongwith the National Institute of Standards and Tech-nology (NIST) chemical library, which containsover 143,000 compounds to assist with the identification of uncharacterized releases [2].

Agilent Technologies also offers LC/MS and ICP/MSfor the analysis of nonvolatile or thermally labilematerials and metal-containing compounds,respectively.

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Figure 1. A chromatogram of selected CWA.

The TIC detection and confirmation system.

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The BWA Detection and ConfirmationSystem

Agilent offers two complimentary technologies todetect and confirm biological agents. The first,which is based upon an organism’s unique chemi-cal profile, was developed by MIDI, an Agilent Technologies Channel Partner, in collaborationwith the US Army Medical Research Institute forInfectious Diseases (USAMRIID). A complementaryapproach is to make DNA-based measurements fol-lowing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplifica-tion using the unique lab-on-a-chip technologyincorporated into the Agilent 2100 BioAnalyzer.

The MIDI Sherlock system is comprised of an Agilent Technologies 6850 Gas Chromatographequipped with an Agilent 7683 and the MIDI Sher-lock Microbial Identification System (MIS) soft-ware. The Sherlock libraries consist of more than25,000 analyses of strains obtained from expertsand from culture collections. The cultures were

collected worldwide to avoid potential geographicbias. The Sherlock MIS system, which is completelyautomated from sample introduction to finalreporting, has been used to positively identify thepresence of anthrax, plague, brucellosis, glanders,meliodosis and tularmia bacteria and its strains.An example of a flame ionization detector (FID)cellular fatty-acid chromatogram indicating thepresence of Bacillus anthracis is shown in Figure 2.

The BWA detection and confirmation system.

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Figure 2. An example of a methylated cellular fatty-acid chromatogram for Bacillus anthracis.

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For laboratories requiring DNA-based measure-ments as a complement to analyses based upon anorganism’s unique fatty acid profile, Agilent Technologies offers the Agilent 2100 BioAnalyzer.The 2100 BioAnalyzer uses microfluidic lab-on-a-chip technology to provide qualitative and quanti-tative information on DNA, RNA, and proteins inbiological samples.

One section of the analysis compartment conve-niently and securely stores up to three cylinders ofcompressed gas. The Packard Model 9200 Hydro-gen Generator is included for applications requir-ing hydrogen. Its use ensures that only thenecessary amount of hydrogen is present in thiscompartment. This also eliminates any restrictions associated with the transport of hydrogen cylinders.

Numerous power outlets are distributed throughboth compartments. The entire mobile platform iswired for a local area network (LAN), with connec-tion points available in all areas. The electricalsystems, including generator control and fuel con-sumption monitoring, are administered from aninterior control panel. The panel is clearly labeledand easy to use. Warning signals are generated forcritical functions.

All the instruments in the mobile laboratory arecontrolled by Agilent Technologies ChemStationsoftware. The software is loaded in dockedportable PCs. Dedicated printers are used forreport printing, and PCs and printers are interfaced via an industry standard LAN.

Data files and methods are provided for validatingthe calculations and algorithms that are used bythe software in producing results. Certificate ofvalidation, password protection, runtime logbook,and revision log history are included to provideGLP compliance. Operational qualification, perfor-mance validation, and instrument qualificationservices are available worldwide.

The mobile platform was designed to use industrystandard components so that all systems can bereadily serviced throughout the world regardless oflocation. All of the Agilent instruments and soft-ware were designed and manufactured under aquality system that has been registered to ISO 9001.

Biological pathogens can be detected and identi-fied using the 2100 BioAnalyzer after specificDNA sequences from the chosen pathogens are amplified by PCR using selective primers.

The primary advantage of the 2100 BioAnalyzerrelative to other PCR based detection methods,such as real time PCR, is that the 2100 BioAna-lyzer allows researchers to develop multiplexdetection assays that can simultaneously interro-gate collected samples for many different types ofbacteria and viruses. A multiplex assay enables alaboratory to run a single test (rather than six ormore different tests), resulting in a dramaticreduction of operating costs and a more efficientworkflow.

Support Systems

The CWA, BWA, and TIC detection and confirma-tion systems require gases for operation.

Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer and DNA LabChip.

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Conclusion

For the past 30 years, Agilent’s Life Sciences andChemical Analysis Group has established a corecompetency in detecting, identifying, and confirm-ing the presence of a wide array of chemical andbiological compounds. With a singular focus ontechnological innovation and world class engineer-ing to provide robust, reliable, high performanceproducts and solutions, Agilent Technologies hasdistinguished itself by fulfilling the measurementneeds of its customers be it environmental contam-inants, microbial pathogens, food adulterants, orCWAs and BWAs.

In addition to providing reliable measurementproducts for use in the fixed laboratory environ-ment, Agilent Technologies, in cooperation withthe military and a select group of channel part-ners, has deployed transportable systems since theearly 1990s. The singular advantage of a mobilelaboratory is that it brings the full power of thetraditional analytical laboratory to an incidentsite, enabling more rapid access to informationthat may be critical in making faster decisions inorder to help save lives and protect the publichealth.

References1. Tom Gluodenis and David Knoth, “Agilent

Chemical and Biological Defense Systems (Avideo tour),” Agilent Technologies, publication5988-8350EN, www.agilent.com/chem.

2. Tom Gluodenis, “The Agilent Mobile Laboratory(Specifications),” Agilent Technologies, publication 5988-8341ENwww.agilent.com/chem.

3. Bruce Quimby, and Michael J. Szwlewski, “Detection and Measurement of Chemical War-fare Agents,” Agilent Technologies, publication 5988-9453EN, www.agilent.com/chem

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Information, descriptions, and specifications in this publication are subject to changewithout notice.

© Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2003

Printed in the USAApril 30, 20035988-9152EN

www.agilent.com/chem