Conventional Raman spectroscopy is often limited by its low sensitivity due to the inherently weak Raman cross section of organic chemicals. A relatively new detection technique, Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) spectroscopy is based on recent experimental observations, which have indicated enhancement of the Raman scattering efficiency by factors of up to 106 when a compound is adsorbed on rough metallic surfaces that have submicron-scale protrusions. In this report we discuss the development of the SERS technique as a tool for monitoring hazardous chemical emissions and its application to in situ remote sensing.