4.3. Detection of Low-Volatility Agents (LVAs)

Speedy recognition of the use of low-volatility agents (LVAs) such as the nerve agents tabun, VX, and novichoks in an attack is critical due to their extreme toxicity. Yet without an incident “declaration,” it is particularly challenging.

Much of detection equipment is vapor-based and therefore not effective for the detection of low-volatility liquid nerve agents (and TIC/TIM substances). The low volatility of these agents also precludes the ability to detect from a safe distance, and, when compounded by the extremely high toxicity of these agents, means that some detectors cannot adequately detect the agents at safe airborne levels, and that only highly-trained personnel wearing appropriate PPE can safely perform testing. Unfortunately, monitoring, sampling, and analysis by US government teams with specialized training and equipment – such as the National Guard WMD-Civil Support Teams (WMD-CSTs) – may be the only way to determine if these types of nerve agents are present. Often, the specialized needs mean delays in agent identification; such delays could easily translate into significant additional exposures and secondary contamination hazards. For example, in the novichok incident described in the Prologue, identification of the agent used on the Skripals took three days; in the meantime, a first responder fell ill.¹⁷