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| Environmental Technology Listing |
Title of Listing: | | EnviroGard |
Category: | | Characterization Technologies |
Subcategory: | * | Waste, Soil, All Listings |
Media: | | Soil, Solid, Sludge, Sediment |
Contaminants: | | Pesticide/Herbicides, PCBs, Dioxins/Furans, PNAs, Solvents, Explosives |
Web Site: | | |
Email: | | |
Technology Description: | |
The EnviroGard product line contains more than 40 immunoassay test kits for the analysis of environmental samples for residues of pesticides and pollutants. Immunoassay is a measurement technology that relies on the selective binding of pesticides or pollutants (analytes) by antibody molecules.
Antibodies are specialized proteins produced by the immune system of mammals in response to "foreign" molecules. Antibodies specific for analytes can be elicited by immunizing the animals with a small amount of the analyte. The specific antibodies are then harvested, purified and attached to the walls of plastic test tubes or test wells.
Immunoassay measurements are attained through competitive binding reactions between the analyte in the sample and the same analyte covalently bound to an enzyme. Each test tube contains the same limiting number of specific antibody molecules and each receives the same number of enzyme-labeled pollutant molecules. Therefore, in the absence of any pollutant molecules in the sample, the antibodies will bind more of the enzyme-labeled pollutant molecules. With increasing numbers of pollutant molecules in the sample, less of the enzyme-labeled molecules will be bound.
The antibody-coated tubes are then emptied and washed to remove any unbound pollutant or pollutant-enzyme conjugate. An enzyme substrate is then added to the tubes. This clear substrate is converted to a colored product in direct proportion to the amount of enzyme-labeled pollutant bound to the tubes. Since the amount of enzyme-labeled pollutant bound is inversely related to the amount of pollutant in the sample, the color produced decreases with increasing concentration of pollutant. The sample tubes can be compared to calibrator tubes either visually or with the aid of a portable photometer to yield semi-quantitative results.
The test kits are available with a portable field lab for on-site testing. Water samples can be tested directly with no sample preparation. Soil samples are rapidly extracted with a small volume of organic solvent prior to testing. For most test kits, sample preparation and analysis can be accomplished in less than 30 minutes.
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Performance Status/
Limitations: | |
Performance Status:
EnviroGard Test Kits have been validated and accepted by the EPA Office of Solid Waste for inclusion in SW-846. The State of California EPA Office of Toxic Substances has recently certified the EnviroGard PCB in Soil Test Kit under their innovative technology evaluation program. This group is currently considering additional certifications for the BTEX, TNT and PAH kits.
Limitations:
Immunoassay technology is based on the use of specific antibodies derived from animals and are therefore "designed" to operate optimally under physiologic conditions. Water samples can be analyzed directly with no sample preparation required. Soil and other solid matrices need to be extracted prior to analysis. Typically, these extractions are done with an organic solvent and this extract needs to be diluted prior to analysis. A water miscible solvent must be used for the extraction or solvent exchange is required.
The major considerations in the utilization of immunoassays are assay specificity and appropriate calibration. Most assays use antibodies which are specific for a class of compounds rather than a single discreet structure. Therefore, closely related compounds and/or metabolites may also be recognized. For example, the EnviroGard PCB in Soil Test Kit will recognize more than six different Aroclors. This limits the utility of these test kits for initial site investigations where the specific contaminant has not been identified.
Calibration needs to be designed to closely reflect the actual sample composition. This consideration is particularly important in the case of assays for complex analytes such as TPH and PAH. It is also important that the calibrator matrix be similar to the matrix of the samples being tested.
Co-contaminants may affect test results. EnviroGard Test Kits have been validated to work within specified limits of pH, water content, oil content and concentration of likely co-contaminants, however, these limits need to be considered in light of specific site conditions.
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Topics
Analytical Testing, Pesticides/FIFRA, Technologies, Characterization
Additional Topics/Tags/Keywords
Immunoassay Test Kits |
Organization: | | Strategic Diagnostics, Inc. |
Address: | | 375 Pheasant Run
| Phone: | Description | Number |
City: | | Newtown | | Primary | (215) 860-5115 |
State/Province/Territory: | | PA | 2. | | |
Zip/Postal Code: | | 18440 | 3. | | |
Country: | | United States | 4. | Fax: | (215) 860-5213 |
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