title: Method modification (2004.08) to field testing of visible powders on a variety of nonporous environmental surfaces: field study.
abstract: The RAMP Anthrax Test Cartridge for detecting Bacillus anthracis was validated for use in the field for detection of B. anthracis spores in visible powder residues on 7 nonporous environmental surfaces. Six teams of trained first responders and civil support personnel in Class C personal protective equipment sampled visible powder residues on plastic, stainless steel, ceramic tile, wood, rubber, sealed concrete, and food-grade painted wood and analyzed the samples on the RAMP Anthrax Test System. The accuracy for each surface was at least 97% and the overall average was 98.8%. The overall average false-positive rate was 1.79% and false-negative rate was 1.07% for all surfaces. There were no significant differences between surfaces or between spore levels.
authors.affiliation: U.S. Army Dugway Proving Ground, Life Sciences Division, W. Desert Test Center, Bldg 2029, Dugway, UT 84022, USA.
authors.forename: Bruce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Harper
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Robinson
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D000881:Anthrax; D001408:Bacillus anthracis / Q000737:chemistry*; D001413:Bacillus thuringiensis / Q000737:chemistry; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D011208:Powders / Q000032:analysis*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013048:Specimen Handling; D013171:Spores, Bacterial / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D011208:Powders