The 14th Analytical Skills Development Course is now underway at the Finnish Institute for Verification of the Chemical Weapons Convention (VERIFIN) in Helsinki. The 2-week course opened on 1 June 2012 with 20 participants from as many countries* who are chemistry professionals involved in the analysis, synthesis, or quality control of chemicals.
The course aims to provide a sound working knowledge of the principles, procedures, and applications of gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for the analysis of chemicals related to the Convention. The first part of the programme provides training and hands-on experience in sample preparation, with instruction in GC and GC-MS analytical techniques, and the second part focuses on the preparation of environmental samples and use of GC and GC-MS for sample analysis.
The Analytical Skills Development Courses are designed for specialists from laboratories engaged in the analysis of chemicals related to the Convention, and from laboratories that are now or will be participating in OPCW proficiency testing.
* Algeria, Argentina, Bangladesh, Belarus, Botswana, Brazil, Indonesia, Lesotho, Pakistan, Paraguay, Romania, South Africa, Sri Lanka, St Lucia, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, Uruguay, Yemen and Zimbabwe.