Which technology is commonly used to detect hazardous materials?

Gas chromatography is commonly used to detect hazardous materials due to its ability to separate and analyze compounds within a mixture. This technology works by vaporizing a sample and passing it through a column packed with a stationary phase. Different components of the mixture interact with the stationary phase at different rates, allowing for the identification and quantification of hazardous substances based on their retention times.

Gas chromatography is particularly advantageous in the context of hazardous material detection because it can provide detailed information on the chemical composition of a sample, making it effective for identifying pollutants, toxic substances, and other hazardous materials present in the environment.

In contrast, mass spectrometry, while also useful for identifying substances, is often employed as a complementary technique to gas chromatography, where it helps to analyze the separated compounds but is not typically used standalone for initial detection in the field. Nuclear magnetic resonance is more frequently used in laboratory settings for structural analysis of compounds rather than field detection. Radiation dosimetry specifically measures exposure to ionizing radiation and is not a method for detecting chemical hazards.