YELLOW RAIN-ANALYSIS EVALUATION OF POWDER AND LEAF SAMPLES

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 00037500
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2022
• Document Release Date: September 26, 2017
• Case Number: F-2012-01432
• Publication Date: September 26, 1984

IF
Approved for Release: 2015/01/05 000037500
Analytical Research Division
Research Directorate
. 26 September 1984
Analysis/Evaluation of Powder and Leaf Samples
A shipment designated 10027K(4), carrying the Registry Number C-290-83,
received by the Analytical Research Division, 15 November 1983. from FSTC,
contained six sub-samples. The shipment consisted of five powder samples,
each wrapped in notepaper and placed in a wide mouth screw top jar, and leaves
with yellow spots placed in a second wide mouth screw top jar. No informatioo
was available on any of the sampl.bs. The first powder, designated 10027K(4)-1,
consisted of approximately 10 mg of flat yellow spots (figure 1). The second
powder, designated 10027K(4)-2, consisted of approximately 10 mg of a yellow
powder (figure 1). The third powder, designated 100271(4)-3, consisted of
approximately 10 mg of a yellow powder (figure 1). The fourth powdar consisted
of approximately 2 mg of brown powder, resembling soil (figure I). The fifth
powder, consisting of approximately 5 mg of brown powder will be reported at
a later date. The sixth sample consisted of eight leaves, each having one
yellow spot, 5 mm in diameter (figure 2).
Vapor samples withdrawn from within each sample enclosure were subjected
to analysis by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). A portion of each
sample was extracted with chloroform. Another portion was extracted with 1:1
methanol:water. The solvent soluble materials were analyzed by GC/MS, ion
chromatography (IC), thin layer chromatography (TIC) and infrared spectrometry
(I R).
The GC/MS spectra of the vapor associated with the packets of powder
Identified the presence of camphor and menthol as the primary components and
toluene, xylene, styrene, acetophencne, isopropyl benzene, t-butyl benzene,
propyl toluene or butyl benzene and approximately 6 isomers of C 10-H 14 , �R as
minor components.
10027K(4)-1, flat yellow spots
GC/MS spectra of the chloroform solubles identified only diethylphthalate._
IC detected no ions of interest. No separation of components was detected by
TLC. Derivatization with negative ion chemical ionization MS detection was
negative for trichothecenes. IR spectra detected the presence of aliphatic
hydrocarbons and carbonyl bands at 1735 and 1710cm-1.
10027K(4)-2, yellow powder
Analysis of the chloroform solubles by GC/MS gave no definitive spectra.
IC detected no ions of interest. No separation of components was detected by TLC.
Derivatization with negative ion chemical ionization MS detection was negative
for trichothecenes. IR spectra identified heavy concentrations of aliphatic
hydrocarbons, one carbonyl possibly present as an ester and a possible phthalate.
lassif d b : CIA
classify: OADR
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10027K(4)-3, yellow powder
GC/MS spectra of the chloroform solubles identified the presence of C25 and
C30 aliphatic hydrocarbons. IC was negative for all ions of interest. No
separation of components was detected by TLC. Derivatization with negative
ion chemical ionization MS detection was negative for trichothecenes. IR
spectra identified the presence of aliphatic hydrocarbons and a carbonyl at
1734 cm-1, possibly present as an ester.
10027K(4)-4, brown powder resembIing soil
Analysis of the chloroform solubles by GC/MS gave no definitive spectra.
IC separated no ions of interest. No detectable components were separated by TLC.
Derivatization with negative ion chemical ionization MS detection WS negative
for trichothecenes. IR spectra identified the presence of aliphatic hydro-
carbons, a carbonyl at 1733, and possible cellulose or soil.
10027K(41-6, leaves
The GC/MS spectra of the vapor associated with theleaves identified the
presence of toluene, ethyl benzene and benzaldehyde. IC was negative for all
Ions of interest. No detectable components were separated by TLC.
Derivatization with negative ion chemical ionization MS detection was negative
for trichothecenes. IR spectra identified the presence of aliphatic hydrocarbons
and possibly an inorganic nitrate.
Conclusion
No evidence of any known CW agent, agent degradation product of trichothecene
was detected. Each of the components detected have either previously been
detected in reference samples or are nlrmally associated with vegetation
sources. The samples appear to be innocuous.
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