US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention orders 36 inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer systems to upgrade preparedness for and response to bioterrorism
PerkinElmer reports that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as part of the cooperative agreement on public health preparedness and response for bioterrorism, has agreed to purchase 36 inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) systems for approximately $9 million.
These systems, developed jointly by PerkinElmer and MDS/Sciex, will be delivered to state and local health laboratories in an effort to upgrade their preparedness for and response to bioterrorism, outbreaks of infectious disease, and other public health threats and emergencies.
Peter Coggins, president, PerkinElmer Life and Analytical Sciences commented, "We believe that our Elan DRC represents the most accurate and sensitive sample analysis system available today, and that these systems will play a significant role in monitoring the safety of and assessing threats to US citizens.
"The CDC's investment in these instruments is another big step forward to ensuring homeland security." In addition to the instruments, the CDC order includes support, service and training.
The Elan DRC ICP-MS measures trace levels of elements in liquid samples, and uses a high-temperature plasma source to break down a sample into its elemental components, and a mass spectrometer to detect and measure the individual elements.
In addition to analysing suspected chemical or biological terrorism samples, state public health laboratories also can measure the amount of environmental chemicals - such as lead or mercury - in people's blood or urine.
This process is called biomonitoring.
Having this kind of information improves the ability to understand health risks associated with exposure to these chemicals and helps public health officials and others determine the best way to protect people's health.
