Airport Bio, Chem Sensor in Development

California’s Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is developing an airport security device that could screen passengers and luggage for explosives, along with biological and chemical agents, United Press International reported yesterday (see GSN, Jan. 22).

Single-particle aerosol mass spectrometry (SPAMS) used in the device has been proven capable of detecting biological and chemical materials.  Work by George Farquar and others at the laboratory has enabled the technology to detect a number of explosives.

“SPAMS is a sensitive, specific, reliable option for airport and baggage screening,” according to the scientists.  “The ability of the SPAMS system to determine the identity of a single particle is a valuable asset when the target analyte is dangerous in small quantities or has no legal reason for being present in an environment” (United Press International, Feb. 7).

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