The ANSI Federation and standardization community are stepping up with guidance, resources, and initiatives to support public health and safety and the nation’s recovery. Suggestions for news items may be submitted to [email protected]. All submissions are published at ANSI’s discretion.
SLAS Technology Issue Highlights Why Biosensors Can be Effective in Detecting the Presence of Airborne Pathogens
The Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening’s recent SLAS Technology issue highlights how biosensors can be effective in detecting the presence of airborne pathogens and how they may be a dependable way to slow down or even prevent the spread of disease. The article, “Biosensor detection of airborne respiratory viruses such as SARS-CoV-2,” by Jeong-Yeol Yoon, M.S., Ph.D., et al, recognizes that biosensor technology can provide rapid, handheld, and point-of-care systems that can identify virus presence quickly and accurately. The authors note that there have been multiple advances in developing biosensors for detection of respiratory viruses in recent years, and explain that airborne respiratory virus biosensors could lead to “a paradigm shift in both early detection and prevention of worldwide pandemics.”
“In comparing various collection and detection methods, this article highlights the recent advancements of biosensor technology in discovering the SARS-CoV-2,” notes SLAS. “Considering that biosensors are a low-cost and portable option, the authors note improved methods of airborne particle sampling, collection, and detection are still on the horizon.”
Access the article and the latest issue of SLAS Technology.
NFPA Podcast and On-Demand Webinar: Long-COVID and the Fire Service
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)’s March 2022 podcast on Long COVID and the Fire Service examines the alarming medical reality affecting people worldwide: continued COVID-19 symptoms that can linger for weeks or months after an infection and have an impact on firefighters and the public they serve.
The podcast references the research effort, “Continuing the Fight Against COVID Together (C-FACT),” led by The Fire Protection Research Foundation (FPRF), a research affiliate of NFPA. Dr. Denise Smith of Skidmore College, featured guest on the podcast, is leading the effort with Dr. Sara Jahnke, Center for Fire, Rescue & EMS Health Research, in partnership with Dr. Steven Moffat, an occupational medicine physician. The group also recently spoke with firefighter chief (Ret.) Craig Haigh on the challenges faced by firefighters as they return to duty following COVID infection, during an on-demand NFPA webinar.
Despite some of the long-lasting and fatal outcomes of COVID-19, NFPA reports some good news for the fire industry: New FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) is currently supporting research that examines the long-term health effects of COVID-19 and how the fire service can realize and manage the risks from the pandemic and safeguard firefighter health and safety.
Access the NFPA podcast and on-demand webcast for more information.
See more ANSI member efforts in the ANSI COVID-19 Resource Webpage Highlighting the Standardization Community’s Response.