GINER INC — Department of Health and Human Services SBIR Phase II: NIEHS

Description

DESCRIPTION provided by applicant Giner Inc proposes a portable inexpensive and rapid response monitor for arsenic speciation in urine Arsenic species excreted in urine are reflective of exposure to toxic arsenic species and therefore this monitor will be a valuable tool in medical diagnostics and epidemiological studies by allowing determination of arsenic exposure by a technique that is faster and less expensive than traditional methods Improved capability of monitoring exposure will have positive public health outcomes as long term exposure to arsenic is associated with health problems including cancer and cardiovascular disease The phase I program developed a sensor capable of electrochemical detection of arsenic III total inorganic arsenic and dimethylarsenic acid Total organic arsenic was determined through a sample treatment process followed by electrochemical detection The phase II program will include further optimization of all methods and processes design of a prototype device and validation of the device with real urine samples from epidemiological studies The phase II program will result in a practical robust and accurate arsenic speciation device PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE A portable inexpensive and rapid response monitor for speciation analysis of inorganic arsenic and arsenic metabolites in urine is proposed Traditional methods of assessing arsenic exposure are time intensive and cost prohibitive and therefore such low cost onsite monitor will have positive public health outcomes by improving ability to monitor arsenic exposure in at risk populations