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A field sample concentration method for rapid response to security incidents
Author(s) -
States Stanley,
Wichterman Jennifer,
Cyprych Georgina,
Kuchta John,
Casson Leonard
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal ‐ american water works association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.466
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1551-8833
pISSN - 0003-150X
DOI - 10.1002/j.1551-8833.2006.tb07639.x
Subject(s) - credibility , contamination , public health , sample (material) , field (mathematics) , environmental science , environmental health , risk analysis (engineering) , computer science , business , political science , chemistry , medicine , chromatography , biology , mathematics , ecology , nursing , pure mathematics , law
Intentional contamination of public water supplies is a serious concern for the water industry. With thousands of people potentially at risk within a short period of time, a determination of the credibility of a contamination threat must be made and effective response measures taken in a matter of hours to minimize the potential consequences for public health. A critical tool in the threat‐assessment process is rapid analysis of water samples in the field. Although several rapid analytical techniques are being considered for use by response teams, questions have emerged about the ability of these methods to detect contaminants at levels of public health significance. This study investigated the detection limits of several field analytical methods (immunoassay and polymerase chain reaction analyses) and identified a simple concentration method that significantly improves analytical sensitivity in the field.