Technology brief:

A low cost and rapid screening analytical tool termed ELISA has been proven and accredited in Ontario, Canada for toxic organic substances in contaminated soil, air, and water. Using antibodies and conjugate specifically selected for the toxin, the concentration of toxin can be determined quickly by colorimetric method.

Description of the technical advantages:

ELISA is a low cost and rapid screening analytical tool for toxic organic substances which are currently analyzed by very expensive analytical techniques such GC-HRMS and LC-MS-MS. For the past 7 years, Ryerson University research team, sponsored by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, has validated ELISA to provide both qualitative and quantitative results of dioxin in contaminated soil and air and total microcystin in drinking water sources. This technique can be carried out in batch mode and trained technician rather than a highly trained scientist. The cost of ELISA is roughly about 25% of those expensive analytical techniques.

The sustainability of the technical advantages:

ELISA is used extensively in medical field for testing of diseases because it is a low cost and rapid technique.  Ryerson University has researched on the application of ELISA for environmental detection in the past seven year as a pioneer in North America and established the laboratory procedure (accredited for commercial application) for toxin organic substances such as dioxin and microcystin. Thus, the next stage of ELISA development for commercialization is well supported by the on-going research.