On-Site Detection of Benzo(a)pyrene in Water and Soil

Project Summary Benzo a pyreneBaPis universally present in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon mixtures and is listed as a Groupcarcinogen by the International Agency for Research on CancerAmong the currentSuperfund sites on the National Priorities List as of Februaryand BaP has been found atsitesThere is an urgent need for development of a novel onsite assay for rapidsensitivereliable and cost effective identification and quantification of BaP in soil and water at Superfund sitesIn this projectOcean NanoTech proposes to develop and commercialize a quantum dot based quantitative FRETQFRETimmunoassay for fast on site detection of BaPCompared to the existing technologiesthe proposed platform assay will possess the following advanced attributeshigh sensitivityhigh specificityfieldabilityfast detectionminutes vs days for lab testease of operationwash freemix and readand low operation costAn anticipated product will be an evaluation kit including reagentsglass or plastic tubesand a compact photoluminescent readerThe goal of Phase I is to demonstrate the feasibility of this novel assay platformIn Phase IIone of the aims will be to design a compact and inexpensive reader for onsite detection Project Narrativerelevance to public healthThe proposed quantum dot based quantitative immunoassay for onsite detection of benzo a pyrene will promote safety management practices at Superfund siteswhich reduces the public exposure to benzo a pyrene and other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbonsone class of the most toxic pollutants associated with cancer and other diseases