You are here:
EVOLUTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMMUNOCHEMISTRY
Citation:
Van Emon, J M. EVOLUTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMMUNOCHEMISTRY. Presented at 22nd American Chemical Society National Meeting, Chicago, IL, August 26-30, 2001.
Impact/Purpose:
The overall objectives of the task include several components: (1) develop immunochemical methods for compounds difficult to analyze by conventional methodologies; (2) tailor immunochemical methods to support specific human exposure assessment studies; (3) team immunochemical sample preparations with instrumental analysis such as mass spectrometry for in-depth sample characterization; (4) provide methods to support NERL's human exposure and environmental monitoring efforts; (5) provide analytical methods that improve risk assessments by reducing the amount of uncertainity in environmental measurements; (6) provide multimedia analytical methods to support an integrated multimedia approach to assess and characterize risk to human health and the environment; (7) provide sponsorship of annual immunochemistry research meetings as a forum for stimulating interest and discussion on current or emerging bioanalytical methods; (8) develop and incorporate rapid, cost-effective laboratory and field portable immunochemical techniques such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods into monitoring studies and human exposure field surveys to delineate sub-populations of "highly exposed" individuals for detailed follow-up studies.
Specific method needs have been identified through consultations with client office personnel. This Task strives to fulfill those needs as appropriate. In particular, methods for pyrethroids, e.g., permethrin, cypermethrin, and deltamethrin are being developed and evaluated. Efficient sample preparations are under development for exposure samples using pressurized liquid extraction. Confirmation will be achieved using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). A rapid immunoassay approach for the analysis of 2,4-D in urine will be completed and a SOP and report written. Immunoaffinity chromatography sample preparations for the pyrethroids will be developed. Work will continue on the application of antibody replacements such as molecularly imprinted polymers. Additional candidate analytes will be identified for a tiered approach and to guide development of the next Task. Flexibility will be maintained to address methods and measurement issues as they arise during the task period which ends in FY06. The objective of the Task is to develop bioanalytical methods to support exposure monitoring studies during the task period.
Description:
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), initially developed for clinical applications, have made a tremendous impact as clinical diagnostic indicators. Pesticide chemists became attracted to the potential of these sensitive and selective methods in the 1970s. Thus, began the transition of immunochemical technology to environmental monitoring. Immunoassays are now providing cost-effective analyses for many compounds of environmental and human health concern. Methods range from highly quantitative laboratory procedures to rapid field analyses. Immunoassay methods are available for numerous pesticides (i.e., paraquat; chlorpyrifos; 2,4-D), pesticide metabolites, and environmental contaminants (i.e., pentachlorophenol, and polychlorinated biphenyls). Immunoassay data are used to assist in monitoring cleanup activities at waste sites, and to support human exposure assessment studies. A brief history of environmental immunoassays, current applications developed or evaluated by the EPA, National Exposure Research Laboratory-Las Vegas, and future research needs and possibilities will be presented.
This work has been funded wholly or in part by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and has been approved for publication. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.