Near Real-time, Low-cost, Hand-held Sensors for Measuring Elemental Concentration of Airborne Particles for Indoor or Outdoor Air Quality Monitoring

Airborne particles can have great impact on air quality, weather, and human health. In particular, long-term inhalation of toxic particulate matter in workplaces could pose a significant health risk. NIOSH scientists have developed a new, low-cost approach based on application of atmospheric radio frequency glow discharge (rf-GD) optical emission spectroscopy for near real-time measurement of elemental concentration in aerosols. The method involves collection of aerosol particles on an electrode tip in a coaxial microelectrode system, followed by excitation of the particles using rf-GD.

Direct Reading Detection Kits for Surface Contamination by Anti-Neoplastic (Anti-Cancer) Drugs

Anti-neoplastic drugs, also known as anti-cancer drugs or chemotherapy, are used in the treatment of many types of cancer. However, these drugs are harmful to healthy cells as well as the cancerous cells. Exposure of healthcare workers to anti-neoplastic drugs from contaminated surfaces and drug vials in hospitals and pharmacies is a continuing problem as the drugs can cause both acute and long-term effects. Although there are sensitive techniques to evaluate contamination, results from these tests take time and must be performed in a laboratory.

Handwipe Disclosing Method for Detecting the Presence of Lead

Lead (Pb) exposure can cause serious health concerns including abdominal pain, headaches, loss of appetite, memory loss, weakness, and other symptoms. Lead residues on human skin, especially on the hands of workers can be a significant health risk since such residues may be ingested during normal activities (e.g. eating, drinking, and smoking). A key component to reducing lead exposure is being able to identify areas of lead contamination.

Wipes and Methods for Removal of Lead and Other Metal Contamination from Surfaces

Exposure to lead (Pb) has long posed serious health risks. Ingestion of lead from skin exposure can adversely impact every organ in the body; the kidneys, blood, nervous, and reproductive systems are most affected. Washing skin with soap and water is not sufficient to remove lead residues. To prevent adverse impacts from Pb exposure, exposed individuals need cleaning methods that will effectively remove Pb ions from the skin to less than the limit of identification (i.e., 10 µg or less).

48-Position Custom Deep Well Plate For In Vitro Equilibrium Dialysis at a 1:1 Sample to Buffer Volume Ratio

CDC scientists have developed a new design for a multi-well dialysis microplate for equilibrium dialysis. The unique design accommodates a 1:1 buffer to sample ratio and provides additional room at the base of the well to enable optimal cartridge immersion and analyte diffusion. The microplate is readily adaptable into existing automated analytical systems and meets the criteria of American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The microplate is designed for measuring blood or other biological fluid samples over a wide range of sample volumes and may be used in a high throughput manner.

Electrochemiluminescence-Based Assays for Type 1 Diabetes Autoantibodies

The technology at hand represents a pivotal advancement in the early detection of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) and the associated autoimmune processes. By utilizing electrochemiluminescence (ECL)-based assays, it enables the precise measurement of diabetes-associated antibodies, particularly Insulin Autoantibodies (IAA) in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice and anti-insulin antibodies (IA) in individuals with Type 1 diabetes. Notably, these assays are non-radioactive, ensuring safety and compliance, while also offering exceptional reproducibility and efficiency.

Design and Efficacy of Non-Human Protein-Derived PCSK9 Immunogens for Cholesterol Management

The technology involves the development of novel PCSK9 immunogens that are specifically designed to eliminate sequence overlap with human proteins, thereby reducing potential self-reactivity and immunogenicity issues. By selectively grafting epitope residues from non-human PCSK9 or structurally similar sequences onto the epitope-scaffold, these immunogens can induce an immune response against the PCSK9 enzyme without triggering a significant reaction against the body’s own proteins.

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