ECBC's Environmental BioMonitoring Laboratory Focuses on ...(p As client demands for flexibility in...)

As client demands for flexibility increase, EBML has been able to offer on-site and field-deployable biological hazardous material testing capabilities. Now, ECBC clients have the ability to send environmental samples to the EBML or have the lab deployed to the sample in the field or incident area.

"We outfitted the mobile laboratory with duplicate equipment from our fixed laboratory," Fruchey said. "If a large number of samples are being generated at a remote location, the best solution is to bring the laboratory to the site, which is why we developed a seamless transition from fixed laboratory operations to field operations."

After processing more than 10,000 samples for government agencies including the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers and the FBI, EBML continues its focus on maintaining quality.

"Our staff works closely with customers to determine best fit methods, custom configurations and specialized equipment test-outs that provide professional, defensible and cost effective analytical laboratory services," Fruchey said. "As EBML continues to grow we will continue to focus on offering our clients the best in high-quality, timely service."

Other EBML capabilities include:

• Monitoring, high-throughput analysis and detection of seven biological warfare agents utilizing robotics and high-speed instrumentation. With this capability, EBML can analyze 96 samples in an eight-hour time frame for seven targets using electrochemiluminescence detection and polymerase chain reaction technology.
• Presumptive identification for biowarfare agents using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, hand-held assays and gel electrophoresis.
• Identification of bacterial agents using cell culture coupled with traditional and fluorescence microscopy
• Analysis of samples for bacterial identification using a technology based on gas chromato
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