Low-cost test for a range of dangerous substances
December 2004
Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
Information Security
A new product for first responders and other special teams has just been introduced to South Africa. Called the HazMat Smart-Strip, it is a disposable reagent strip card featuring a number of reagent squares which change colour when exposed to very low levels of dangerous chemicals. These include chlorine (and bromine), oxidising agents, cyanide, fluorides, sulphides, arsenic, as well as nerve and mustard gases (chemical warfare agents). Also included on the strip is a pH indicator that changes colour if the pH level moves above or below 7.0. The product has been tested by an ISO 17025 laboratory and by the US military.
The Smart-Strip is a cost-effective chemical detection 'warning badge' and has been widely implemented in North America. It can be stored for up to two years and on activation will remain operational for up to 12 hours. It has been adopted by police, fire departments, emergency response vehicles (ambulances), hazardous material teams and the military. While the latter have electronic systems for the detection of chemical warfare agents these expensive systems are not currently provided to every soldier so the Smart-Strip provides early warning for the individual. The Smart-Strip is also used in hospital emergency rooms to cope with the problem of the admission of a contaminated patient. The device is also used by some airlines to ensure that contaminated cargo or luggage is not loaded onto an aircraft.
The Smart-Strip comes with a peal and stick backing or it can be clipped to the user's clothing. The eight reagents are self-contained and are activated by removing the protective covering. Identification of the presence of a harmful substance is made easy as each indicator layer is surrounded by a colour standard. Changes from this standard indicates presence of the substance, with oxidisers for example deviating from white to a blue/violet colour and the presence of cyanide causing a transition from green to blue. Reaction time to exposure is effectively instantaneous. The development of the HazMat Smart-Strip was spurred by the events of 11 September. Smart-Strip is available in quantities of 100 units with a discount on the normally delivered 300-unit case. Samples are available for evaluation.
For more information contact Measuring Instruments Technology, 012 348 0569, [email protected], www.measureit.co.za
Further reading:
Oxygen measurement in beverages
Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
[Sponsored] Anton Paar offers a complete range of oxygen measurement instruments for total package oxygen (TPO) measurements, at-line quality control (QC), and in-process monitoring. These instruments help beverage manufacturers achieve accurate, reliable oxygen control at every stage of production.
Read more...
Analysers achieve OIML R140/MID accuracy class A certification
Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
Qmicro by Sensirion has received the OIML R140/MID accuracy class A certificate No. TC12537 for its DynamiQ-X GC analysers for the analysis of natural gas and natural gas blended with hydrogen.
Read more...
Sustainable water management
Wearcheck
Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
Water sustainability is critical for the future wellbeing of people, land and marine ecosystems, and socio-economic development. WearCheck Water provides a range of water analysis techniques to determine water quality for various sectors, including mining, agriculture, domestic and the healthcare industry.”
Read more...
Identity is a cyber issue
Access Control & Identity Management Information Security
Identity and access management telemetry has emerged as the most common source of early threat detection, responsible for seven of the top 10 indicators of compromise leading to security investigations.
Read more...
Biofilm monitoring system
Instek Control
Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
Alvim, through Instek Controls, provides innovative, high-tech solutions for biofilm and biofouling monitoring in industrial plants.
Read more...
WearCheck Water earns AdBlue/DEF analysis accreditation
Wearcheck
Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
WearCheck Water recently became the first laboratory in Africa to be officially ISO17025 accredited to test AdBlue diesel exhaust fluid by the South African National Accreditation System.
Read more...
Streamlining strain gauge load cell integration
Vepac Electronics
Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
Vepac’s data acquisition hardware provides an efficient and effective all-in-one solution for customers looking to simplify, enhance and optimise their strain gauge load cell systems.
Read more...
Oxygen measurement in beverages
Anton Paar
Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
[Sponsored] Anton Paar offers a complete range of oxygen measurement instruments for total package oxygen (TPO) measurements, at-line quality control (QC), and in-process monitoring. These instruments help beverage manufacturers achieve accurate, reliable oxygen control at every stage of production.
Read more...
Identity and authentication
Technews Publishing SMART Security Solutions
Access Control & Identity Management Information Security Security Services & Risk Management
Identity authentication is a crucial aspect of both physical security and cybersecurity.
SMART Security Solutions obtained insights into the topic and the latest developments from three companies.
Read more...
Sensors and controls for food, beverage and pharmaceutical
Instek Control
Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
Included in Instek Control’s range is Anderson-Negele, which has adopted ‘Hygienic By Design’ as its guiding principle, with a particular focus on meeting the stringent regulatory requirements found in industries such as dairy, brewery or pharmaceutical.
Read more...
printer friendly version