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There is a great need for
technology that is capable of detecting biological warfare agents in the air. However,
biodetection is technically challenging for a number of reasons. Most notably:
- Biological warfare agents are only micron-sized and are of
great threat even in small quantities. Consequently, detectors must be extremely
sensitive.
- Biological warfare agents can be difficult to discriminate
from naturally occurring background material. Not only can background aerosol
concentrations be extremely high (typically 107 / m3 ), but also the
particles are diverse in nature. Additionally, the agents are complicated particles
themselves, with very similar characteristics to other commonly-occurring bioaerosols such
as pollen or non-pathogenic bacteria.
Ideally, a detection system against biological
threats would have certain key features:
- Real-time
- Specific threat identification
- Unmanned
- Networkable
- Compact and portable
- Robust and reliable
- Low cost of ownership – notably, no requirement for
expensive consumables
Unfortunately, there is no such system to date although
technology is developing fast. Frequently, large systems integrate different technologies
together, combining their individual advantages.
Certainly, specific identification technologies have
been developed and typically use an approach involving wet chemistry and antibodies. The
major problem with these methods is the poor speed of response (perhaps many hours)
involved in collecting and identifying the agents. To detect agents in time to warn,
protect and minimise casualties, other non-specific techniques must be used.
Generic biodetectors that operate in the aerosol
phase are able to provide rapid, real-time warning of potential bio attacks. The other
major advantage of the systems is that they require no operational consumables and
therefore the cost of ownership is hugely reduced when compared with specific
identification technologies. Biral has focused its efforts to date on real-time generic
biodetection technology and is a market leader in this field.
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