The RaPID Assay® kit is designed to quickly provide quantitative results for pentachlorophenol (PCP) concentrations in soil and water samples. The kit uses immunoassay chemistry to produce detectable and quantifiable compound-specific reactions for PCP. Polyclonal antibodies bound to paramagnetic particles are introduced into a test tube where they offer binding sites for PCP. An enzyme conjugate containing a PCP derivative is added to the test tube, where it competes with PCP from samples for antibody binding sites. A magnetic field is applied to each test tube to hold the paramagnetic particles containing PCP and enzyme conjugate, while excess sample and enzyme conjugate are washed from the test tube.
Reagents are then added to the test tube, where they react with the enzyme conjugate and form a color. The color formed in the sample is compared to the color formed by PCP calibration standards. The comparison is made with a spectrophotometer. Samples with PCP concentrations above the calibration range can be diluted and reanalyzed.
The RaPID Assay® kit has several advantages and limitations when used under field conditions. The method is field portable, easy and fast to operate, and inexpensive. The RaPID Assay® kit is limited in that (1) electricity is required to operate the spectrophotometer, (2) the immunoassay method may be affected by temperature fluctuations, and (3) cross-reactivity may occur for compounds similar to PCP.
The RaPID Assay® kit can be used to identify and quantify PCP in soil and water samples. The developer reports the detection limit for soils at 0.1 part per million and water samples at 0.06 part per billion.
The RaPID Assay® kit was evaluated during a SITE field demonstration in Morrisville, North Carolina in August 1993. In addition, samples collected from a location in Winona, Missouri were analyzed to evaluate the effects of different matrices and PCP carriers. The Innovative Technology Evaluation Report (EPA/540/R-95/514), which details results from the demonstration, is available from EPA.
RaPID Assay Used During the SITE Demonstration
EPA PROJECT MANAGER:
Jeanette Van Emon
U.S. EPA
National Exposure Research Laboratory
Characterization Research Division
P.O. Box 93478
Las Vegas, NV 89193-3478
702-798-2154
Fax: 702-798-2261
TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPER CONTACT:
Craig Kostyshyn
Strategic Diagnostics,Inc.
375 Pheasant Run
Newtown, PA 18940
215-860-5115, ext. 634
Fax: 215-860-5213