With the world’s governments anxiously addressing terrorism issues, the detection of chemical and biological weapons has moved to the top of analytical chemistry’s priority list. A session specifically focused on instrumental detection of these weapons will be a highlight of Pittcon 2002, a world-class meeting of an estimated 30,000 analytical chemists in New Orleans March 17–22 (see Pittcon 2002 Online Pocket Guide).

“The analysis of chemical and biological weapons is a crucial step in being able to quickly determine such threats in populated areas,” says David R. Walt of Tufts University, who is arranging a lineup of experts on the topic.

In the past, analysis of chemical and biological threats has typically been limited to a specific military site and quantifiable population. But with the onslaught of random terrorist attacks affecting thousands of people in public places and at a moment’s notice, the scientific community must adjust its tactics accordingly, Walt says.

The various threats are inherently different. “Chemical weapons are fast-acting and cause panic, while biological weapons act much slower and have the potential to affect large numbers of people,” says Walt. “With the exception of nuclear weapons, these weapons are the major threats remaining in the post–Cold War era.”

So far, the types of analyses required to detect such weapons are at or below the limit of detection of most of today’s analytical instrumentation, he says. “The technical challenges are at the forefront of both analytical and bioanalytical chemistries and will require both the application of the most sensitive methods of analysis available today as well as new innovations.”

The full-day focus on the topic will feature university researchers as well as industry and government representatives who are working on the near-term next-generation technologies, Walt adds. In addition to a thorough overview of the topic, the day will encompass a range of current strategies, including integrated systems of detection, discrimination, and identification of biological agents and DNA-based bioagent detection.