Immunochemical analysis of water micropollution

Immunoassays for detecting and measuring organic microcontaminants in water supplies are gaining acceptance and are becoming more widely available. A number of assays for pesticides have been described. Immunoassays especially those utilising enzyme labels are ideally suited for rapid and low cost monitoring of water quality. One of the major attractions of immunoassays for water analyses is the sensitivity that can be achieved without sample preparation. Limits of detection below the EC Maximum Admissible Concentration (0.1 microgram/l) are regularly obtained with acceptable assay performance in terms of accuracy and precision. The selectivity of analysis depends on the specificity of the antibody used. Generally antisera are compound or group specific and unlike conventional analyses only one analyte can be measured at one time. Enhanced luminescence has provided an alternative sensitive and robust endpoint for immunoassays of herbicides and can be adapted to produce semiquantitative results away from the laboratory.