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Introduction to Biological Agent Detection Equipment for Emergency First Responders, NIJ Guide 101-00

NCJ Number
190747
Date Published
December 2001
Length
53 pages
Annotation
This document is intended to assist the emergency first-responder in understanding biological-agent detection equipment.
Abstract
The information presented in this guide on specific equipment and technologies was obtained from literature searches and market surveys. The information provided focuses on biological agents, challenges of detection, components of detection, and the basic technologies that have been or are being considered in the research and development of biological-agent detection equipment. One section reviews biological agents; specifically, it discusses the four most common classes of biological agents and provides information that includes epidemiology, symptoms, and treatment. Another section of this document provides an overview of the known challenges associated with biological-agent detection; it discusses general detection requirements such as ambient environment, selectivity, sensitivity, and sampling. This is followed by a section that provides the reader with background information on the components of biological detection systems and a section that discusses known detection technologies, identified as point, standoff, or active standoff detection. Remaining sections provide information on how to prepare for a biological incident and a summary of the current state of biological-agent detection. 6 references and contact information for State public health laboratories

Date Published: December 1, 2001