Biohazard Detection
System
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USPS Site |
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| The BDS unit consists of an air-collection hood, a cabinet
where the collection and analysis devices are housed, a local computer network connection, and a site controller - a networked computer. All the BDS processes are automated. The equipment continuously collects air samples from mail canceling equipment while the operation is underway. The air collection hood is installed over the canceling equipment at the very first pinch point in the mail processing operation. It concentrates airborne particles into a sterile water base. This creates a liquid sample which is injected into a cartridge. An automated polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test is performed on the liquid sample which uses sophisticated DNA matching to detect the presence of anthrax. There is a template for the anthrax DNA sequence. The test sample is compared to the anthrax template to see if there is a match. The system concentrates air samples for a one hour period followed by the PCR test that takes approximately 30 minutes. While the PCR test is performed the BDS is simultaneously concentrating particles for the next sample. Results are obtained every hour. |
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Distribution Point |
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Environmental |
The BDS alarm immediately stops the flow of mail. Contamination is limited to the sorting area inside the postal facility. Postal employees will be required to remove clothing before leaving the site. The Health Department strongly recommends that employees shower before leaving the site to reduce the number of spores on exposed skin and hair. Persons living or working in the area around the postal facility are not considered at risk. However, the Health Department will conduct surface and air sampling in the area immediately following an alarm.