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Perspective on Improving Environmental Monitoring of Biothreats
John Dunbar1, Segaran Pillai2, David Wunschel3
1Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, United States.
Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
|November 9, 2018
Summary
Environmental monitoring for biological threat agents (BTAs) is costly and inefficient. Experts recommend shifting focus to indoor and special-event monitoring and developing real-time sensors to improve cost-effectiveness and detection capabilities.
Area of Science:
- Biodefense and Environmental Science
- Public Health Security
- Sensor Technology
Background:
- The United States has conducted environmental monitoring for biological threat agents (BTAs) for over a decade.
- Current methods face challenges in timeliness, efficiency, sensitivity, specificity, robustness, and cost.
- Conventional city-wide monitoring is expensive and limited by detection sensitivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the objectives and efficacy of current environmental monitoring strategies.
- To identify operational and technological changes to enhance efficacy and cost-effectiveness.
- To improve the overall value of environmental monitoring for biodefense.
Main Methods:
- Convened a group of scientists with expertise in bioterrorism defense.
- Evaluated current environmental monitoring practices and associated challenges.
- Assessed potential operational and technological improvements.
Main Results:
- Identified a high priority to abandon city-wide environmental monitoring due to high costs and low sensitivity.
- Recommended prioritizing indoor and special-event monitoring based on risk assessments.
- Highlighted the need for reagent-less, real-time sensors for initial detection.
Conclusions:
- Shifting to targeted indoor and special-event monitoring can improve cost-effectiveness.
- Developing advanced sensor technology is crucial for early detection and reduced costs.
- These changes can significantly enhance the scope and effectiveness of environmental monitoring for biodefense.
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