An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for trinitrotoluene (TNT) residue on hands

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) developed for the detection of trinitrotoluene (TNT) in munitions wastewater has been adapted to the detection of TNT residue on hands following contact. Using the procedure developed, as little as 50 pg of TNT could be detected. Accounting for sample size and dilution, the 50 pg equates to 15 ng of TNT recovered from the hands. Following contact with TNT, amounts ranging from 53 ng to more than 1500 ng were recovered from hands. The monoclonal anti-TNT antibodies showed no cross-reactivity with several other explosives or common contaminants. These preliminary results indicate promise for the development of a simple-to-use, immunoassay-based field test kit for TNT and, ultimately, other explosives.