A new fast GC/SAW analyzer is used to characterize dioxin and furan contamination in less than 1 minute. Applications include screening of flyash and stack emissions where these compounds can have a detrimental effect on the environment. Using a new type of Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) detector with picogram sensitivity, it is now possible to analyze air, water, or soil samples with precision and speed in the field. The system is portable allowing measurements to be taken at environmental sites without the need for time consuming and costly laboratory analysis.