DHS Certifies Handheld Biodetection Kits For Counter-Terrorism

July 19, 2009 by national  
Filed under Product & Book Reviews



handheld_bio_detection

Universal Detection Technology, a developer of early-warning monitoring technologies to protect people from bioterrorism and other infectious health threats and provider of counter-terrorism consulting and training services, reported today that its handheld biodetection kits have been certified by the Department of Homeland Security as an “Approved Product for Homeland Security” under the Support Anti-terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies (SAFETY) Act of 2002.

The SAFETY Act provides incentives for the development and deployment of anti-terrorism technologies by creating a system of “risk management” and a system of “litigation management.” The purpose of the act is to ensure that the threat of liability does not deter potential manufacturers or sellers of anti-terrorism technologies from developing and commercializing technologies that could save lives.

The handheld detection kits have been extensively used by first responders and private industry throughout the country. The equipment has been evaluated by the U.S. DOD, as well as by the United Kingdom military. The equipment’s capacities feature the following:

  • No cross-reactivity with near neighbor strains
  • No cross-reactivity to household powders
  • No set up time
  • No expensive reader needed
  • No decontamination requirements
  • No false positives
  • No false negatives
  • No hook effect

“The size and ease of use of these kits makes them ideal for emergency situations where time is of the essence,” says Jacques Tizabi, UNDT’s Chief Executive Officer. “UNDT’s kits are some of the most user friendly and accurate products currently on the market.”

Source

Comments

One Response to “DHS Certifies Handheld Biodetection Kits For Counter-Terrorism”
  1. Terry says:

    Hi, I’m retired US Air Force and am well trained in NBC operations. In my current profession, I work with CBRN equipment. This item intrigues me but the article left out some basic information for us readers. Such as:

    This bio-detector is intended for whom: the general population or only select government agencies and locations?

    Does one use it as a handheld detector or is it set up in a stationary position and provides passive detection capabilities?

    Does DoD or DHS foresee this as replacing existing bio-detection equipment or as an additional component to their “arsenal” of WMD detection equipment?

    Can this item detect the current, most probable agents that could be used against America and her allies, or does it detect only “new”, previously unannounced agents?

    Dimensions? Power source? Cost per item?

    What’s the actual false positive and false negative rates, respectively?

    Is it maintained by OEM or contractors, or is it a disposable item?

    Don’t freak out: I’m asking to satisfy my curiousity; I may have job security at stake here.

    Thanks.

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