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The atmospheres of US Navy Submarines are unique closed environments in which sailors both live and work for extended periods. Although this atmosphere is continuously monitored with a real-time, mass spectrometer-based Central Atmosphere Monitoring System (CAMS), the ability to measure trace constituents is limited. The identity, concentrations and distributions of trace constituents have been studied more exhaustively, in some cases for as long as the duration of a patrol, using conventional active air sampling methods such as passivated stainless steel canisters and solid sorbent tubes. The results from these studies indicate that trace constituents are generally present at concentrations well below levels that would present health concerns. However, these studies also show that there is a fairly wide variation in such levels over time, operational conditions, submarine and class of submarine.

The Montreal Protocol has necessitated the changeover of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) to hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in Navy ships. Submarines represent a unique enclosed environment, and the use of HFCs has required adjustments in the operation of atmosphere control equipment. To ensure that the operational modifications would cause no significant changes in the composition of the submarine atmosphere, laboratory and shipboard studies were undertaken to model the effect of such modifications. Trace atmospheric constituents were measured with the shipboard Central Atmosphere Monitoring System (CAMS), a portable gas chromatograph, and retrospective sampling methodologies based on EPA methods for aldehydes, ketones and volatile organic compounds. The operation of atmosphere control equipment was adjusted and the composition of the submarine atmosphere was monitored in real-time and retrospectively.

The Navy uses both real time and retrospective methods to analyze the air in submarines. The methods are described in detail. The reasons for the selection of the methods and their capabilities and limitations are presented. A few recent results are shown to demonstrate these methods.