YELLOW RAIN-ANALYSIS EVALUATION OF POWDER SAMPLE

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 00037507
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2022
• Document Release Date: September 26, 2017
• Case Number: F-2012-01432
• Publication Date: March 25, 1986

Approved for Release: 2015/01/05 000037507
Analytical Division
Research Directorate
25 Mar 86
Analysis/Evaluation of Powder Sample
A shipment designated 10027K(4), carrying Registry Number C-290-83,
received by the Analytical Division 15 Nov 83 from FSTC, contained six
subsamples. No information was available on any of the samples. Samples
1002^K(4)-1, 2,3,4 and 6 were previously reported 26 Sep 84. Samrle
10027K(4)-5 consisted of approximately 5 mg. brown powder wrapped in a
tablet paper in a wide mouth screw top glass jar. A picture of the
sample was included in the 26 Sep 84 report.
A vapor sample withdrawn from within the sample enclosure was
subjected to analysis by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). A
portion of the powder was extracted with chloroform. Another portion was
extracted with 1:1 methanol:water. The solvent soluble materials were
analyzed by GC/KS, ion chromatography (IC), thin layer chromatography
(TLC), and infrared spectrometry. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was
performed on a portion of the neat powder.
The GC/MS spectra of the vapor associated with the sample identified
the presence of camphor and menthol as the primary components and
toluene, xylene, styrene, acetophenone, isopropyl benzene, t-butyl
benzene, propel toluene or butyl benzene and approximately 6 isomers of C10
R14'O-R as minor components.
CC/ME analysis of the chloroform solubles did not give definitive
spectra. IC tetected no ions of interest. No separations of components
was detected by TLC. IR detected aliphatic hydrocarbons and water.
Derivatizatiot with negative ion chemical ionization MS detection was
positive for acirpentriol, tetraol and verrucarol. The detection of
these trichothecenes in picagram (pg). levels could rot be confirmed by
other laboratcries, due to their minimum detaction level being higher
than that of CEDEC's. SEM identified the presence of at least two pollen
types, leaf fragments and possible grain fragments.
Conclusion:
No evidence of any known CW agent or agent degradation products was
detected. The detection of the trichothecenes scirTentriol, tetraol and
verrucarol was of interest, however, the inability of other laboratories
to confirm the findings, and the very low levels (picograms) detected
and the unique conbination of toxins is difficult to explain and leads to
no obvious conalusione.
Classified by: CIA
Declassify: OADR
Approved for Release: 2015/01/05 000037507a/a