Laboratory of Toxic Compounds

The Laboratory of Toxic Compounds (LTC) focuses on the testing of efficiency of personal protective equipment against the effects of highly hazardous chemicals. LTC portfolio contains methods for comprehensive testing of single parts resistance of individual protective equipment (IPE), i.e. gloves, boots, protective mask and suit, as well as their compatibility. LTC also provides characterisation of individual parts of IPE, e.g. filter sorption capacity, permeation/ desorption tests. Important part of the workplace is Toxic Chamber, a special laboratory designed for works using highly danger chemical compounds. The Mannequin – articulated model of a human being enabling simulation human movements – is regularly used for the experiments conducted in Toxic Chamber. To test protective breathing systems and for their complex characterisation, a smartman system, i.e. hermetic box with a breathable human bust, can be used. Besides, many other special apparatuses developed in the Institute´s laboratories serve for testing single parts of individual protective equipment.

: Mannequin for testing protective equipment in Toxic Chamber

: Mannequin dressed in impermeable protective suit (FOP)

: Smartman – an apparatus for testing the gastightness of gas masks

Besides, LTC testing portfolio also comprises the methods for evaluation of protective systems. LTC can perform all works by means of life agents, i.e. toxic industrial compounds as well as chemical warfare agents.

Apart from the stationary laboratory, there is also a mobile analytical laboratory, allowing for on-site monitoring of chemical agents, their sampling and analyses. The LTC has at its disposal a special system for safe treatment of pressurised bottles/vessels with unknown content. The device also enables the content analysis, and subsequently, its disposal or complex decontamination of the stuffs. Besides, the LTC specialists can also use Large-Scale Testing Facility where all experiments and testing can be performed in real dimensions, and with a real CBRN contamination.
LTC performs testing, examination and analyses for both, Czech and international customers, declared by certified or accredited procedures according to ČSN EN ISO/IEC 17025, respectively.

Offer of testing

Accredited tests according to ČSN EN ISO/IEC 17025

Determination of resistance time of protective materials to mustard drops under static conditions on the indicator MAZL 03/95 Mikrotest

Determination of foil material resistance to permeation of organic solvents by gas chromatography MAZL 16/95 Permeatest 2

Determination of sorption capacity of filters against chemical warfare agents on indicator MAZL 19/95 DSK-Test 2

Determination of sorption capacity of filters used to capture inorganic compounds by electro-chemical detectors MAZL 20/95 DSK-Test 3

Determination of protective properties of materials against drops and vapours of soman and mustard on indicator MAZL 36/10 Permeatest 3

Determination of gastightness of chemical protective suits MAZL 37/10 Lucie

Determination of foil material resistance to mustard permeation by gas chromatography MAZL 39/10 Permeatest 4

Determination of respiratory protection equipment to permeation of chemical agents with photo ionising detection MAZL 41/12 Smartman

Detection of leakages in chemical protective suits MAZL-42/14 LUCIE M

Detection of methyl salicylate in air MAZL-43/14 DeMsal

Identification of highly toxic compounds by means of GC-MS CH/2013/01-GC/MS

Identification of highly toxic compounds by means of GC-MS utilizing SPME extraction CH/2013/02-GC/MS

Method of taking samples by swapping for subsequent instrumental analysis CH/2014/01-SAMP-1

Method of taking liquid samples for subsequent instrumental analysis CH/2014/02-SAMP-2

Method of taking solid samples for subsequent instrumental analysis CH/2014/02-SAMP-3

Method of taking air samples for subsequent instrumental analysis CH/2014/02-SAMP-4

Identification of highly toxic compounds by means of GC-MS technique and calculation of decontamination efficiency CH/2015/02-DecoEF

Certified examinations

Decomposition of toxins by chemical reagents CH/2009/01

Identification of ricin using mass spectrometry methods CH/2009/02

Functional testing of respiratory protection systems by means of highly toxic chemicals CH/2010/01

Reducing the risk of found closed vessels with unknown content for needs of inspection activity of the IRS units CH/2012/01

Determination of residual contamination of solid surfaces after decontamination of selected chemical warfare agents for needs of inspection activity of the Non-Proliferation Division of the SONS –Chemical and Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons Prohibition Division and the IRS units CH/2014/10-Residual

Measurement of secondary contamination after decontamination of selected chemical warfare agents for needs of inspection activity of the Non-Proliferation Division of the SONS – the Chemical and Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons Prohibition Division and the IRS units CH/2014/11-Residual 2

Preparation of controlled atmosphere for testing of protection systems for the needs of the inspection activity of the SONS according to Act No. 19/1997 Coll. and the units of IRS CH/2015/03-GasProof

Generation of controlled concentration of submicron particles: application in testing of respiratory protection equipment for needs of inspection activity of the Non-Proliferation Division of the SONS – the Chemical and Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons Prohibition Division and the IRS units CH/ 2015/01-Submikron

This certified methodology serves to test protective efficiency of respiratory protection equipment against the effect of submicron particles; the methodology is applicable to determination of protective efficiency of positive-pressure systems (SCBA type; Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus, with opened or closed breathing circuit) and negative-pressure gasmasks (face masks with a combined filter).