BioCheck Powder Screening Kit
The BioCheck® Powder Screening Test Kit is used by first responders as a first step to investigate suspicious powders for bioterrorism agents. The Kit works by identifying the presence or absence of a biomolecule found in all living materials and many toxins. It, therefore, provides a rapid screen for the possible presence of bioterrorism agents such as anthrax and ricin toxin.
Results are obtained in five minutes or less without instrumentation. A sample is collected on two swabs then each swab is immersed in a solution that produces a color change only if a biological agent is present. The kit also contains a control that is used to confirm that a negative result is not due to a failure of the test
Availability: Commercially Available
| Manufacturer |
| 20/20 BioResponse |
| Product Name |
| BioCheck Powder Screening Kit |
| Detection Category |
| Biological |
| Detection Principle |
| Immunological; |
| Detection Method |
| Lateral Flow Hand Held Immunoassay ; |
| Application |
| Emergency Response; Detection; Screening; |
| Equipment Type |
| Instrument |
| Product Synopsis |
| The BioCheck® Powder Screening Test Kit is used by first responders as a first step to investigate suspicious powders for bioterrorism agents. The Kit works by identifying the presence or absence of a biomolecule found in all living materials and many toxins. It, therefore, provides a rapid screen for the possible presence of bioterrorism agents such as anthrax and ricin toxin.
Results are obtained in five minutes or less without instrumentation. A sample is collected on two swabs then each swab is immersed in a solution that produces a color change only if a biological agent is present. The kit also contains a control that is used to confirm that a negative result is not due to a failure of the test |
| Availability |
| Commercially Available |
| Technology Readiness Level (TRL) |
| 9 |
| User Feedback Sources |
| Poore, C.; Clark, P.; Emanuel, P. A. An Evaluation of Suspicious Powder Screening Tools for First Responders. J. Hazard. Mater. 2009, 172, 559-65. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2009.05.142. |
| Dimensions |
| 4.5 x 2.5 x 4.25 in (11.43 x 6.35 x 10.80 cm) |
| Weight |
| <1 lb; 2.5 oz (70.9 g) |
| Power Requirements |
| None |
| Noise Produced |
| Negligible |
| Transportability |
| Pocket Size |
| Ruggedness |
| None |
| Operating Conditions |
| 0 to 140°C (32 to 284°F) |
| Consumables |
| <$1,000/year |
| Solvents/Reagents |
| Yes |
| Calibration Schedule |
| None |
| Suggested Routine Maintenance |
| None |
| Available Accessories |
| Sample extraction swab needed (supplied with kit) |
| Expected Operational Life |
| 24 tests per kit |
| Shelf Life |
| <5 years; 1 year |
| Unit Cost |
| $680.00 |
| Maintenance Cost |
| $27.20 sample cost |
| Tested For Biological Agents |
| B. Anthracis (Anthrax), Y. Pestis (Plague), Ricin |
| Other Biological Targets |
| Protein |
| Sample Introduction |
| Solid |
| Sensitivity/Detection Limits |
| µg; Ricin 20 µg, B. Anthracis (Anthrax) and Y. Pestis 8x10e7 CFUs. |
| Known Interferents/Inhibitors |
| Overloading the swab |
| False Positive Rates |
| The kit will give a positive result whenever the sample contains enough protein (generally >10µg) to react with the reagents. False positives for protein content are extremely low-well under 1%. However, the kit cannot discriminate between BWA proteins and harmless protein-containing food powders. |
| False Negative Rates |
| Incidence of false negatives (i.e., no color change even if a bioterror agent is present) is very low, if the kit is used correctly. |
| Start Up Time (From Cold Start To Sample Ready) |
| < 5 minutes |
| Response Time (Sample Application To Output) |
| <5 minutes |
| Total Run Time |
| < 5 minutes |
| Alarm Capability |
| No |
| Training Required |
| <1 hour training |
| Training Available |
| Yes |
| Manuals Available |
| User's manual |
| Reachback Service |
| No |
| IATA Shipping Restrictions |
| No |
| Approved Vendors |
| Smiths Detection, Alexeter Technologies, Fisher Scientific, Haz Tech Systems, Laurus Systems, and Safety Solutions. |
