Smiths Detection has launched Bio-ACT, a complete emergency response assessment solution for rapidly identifying biological warfare agents (BWAs) in the field.

Bio-ACT comprises four complementary technologies, giving emergency responders a complete toolkit to obtain the highest level of accuracy when assessing unknown powder scares for anthrax, ricin, plague, pan orthopox and other BWAs.

Bio-ACT, which stands for biological advanced confirmatory technologies, consists of Prime Alert™, a microbe and toxin screener, BioCheck® , a protein and pH test kit, HazMatID Ranger™, a hand-held chemical identifier and Bio-Seeq PLUS™, a next-generation handheld BWA identifier. Each element provides unique identification and detection capabilities that allow emergency responders to quickly determine any threat level and make the appropriate public safety decisions.

Mal Maginnis, president of global military and emergency responders for Smiths Detection, said: “We are committed to delivering this advanced tactical assessment approach worldwide because it provides emergency responders with the highest degree of confidence when dealing with unknown, suspect substances. Bio-ACT strongly reinforces our position as a total solutions provider for quick and accurate biological threat assessment. This is critical because no single test is enough when you are dealing with a potential BWA.”