Protocol for Detection of Ricin Biotoxin in Environmental Samples During the Removal Phase of Response to a Contamination Incident
Citation:
Shah, S. Protocol for Detection of Ricin Biotoxin in Environmental Samples During the Removal Phase of Response to a Contamination Incident. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, 2022.
Impact/Purpose:
There is a need for a step-by-step protocol for detection of Ricin biotoxin from environmental samples including water. The protocol will include appropriate and highly sensitive and specific analytical methods for ricin. It will also include detailed procedures for sample-type specific sample processing and concentration of ricin for attaining a low limit of detection and minimizing false results. This protocol will enhance the capability and capacity for ricin sample analysis by the EPA's Environmental Response Laboratory Network (ERLN), Water Laboratory Alliance (WLA). Also, the use of this protocol by all participant laboratories will allow easy comparison and interpretation of sample analysis results, which in turn, will help local and state public health agencies, environmental unit leaders, and risk assessors in decision-making during a response to an incident. Additionally, since this protocol will be published on the Internet, it will be available to other National and International laboratories.
Description:
This is a protocol for detection of ricin biotoxin in environmental samples. It includes two sensitive and specific analytical methods including the ElectroChemiLuminescence-Based Immunoassay (ECL-IA) and the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), also known as the Hand-Held Assay for ricin. It also includes detailed procedures for sample-type specific sample processing and concentration of ricin for attaining a low limit of detection and minimizing false results.