Instead of using a dangerous pathogen for training, emergency workers can turn to NIST Reference Material 8230.

View as a Web Page NIST Develops Yeast Material for Training First Responders on Biothreats When there's an accident or an emergency such as a fire in a building or a toxic spill, first responders arrive to help people at the scene. One type of emergency involves threats from biological agents such as bacterial or viral pathogens. First responders who train for these kinds of emergencies need to do so in a safe and careful manner. To help meet their needs, researchers from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have developed a reference material based on yeast cells. "Suspicious powder incidents occur regularly throughout the U.S., so first responders need routine training including simulated biothreat scenarios," said NIST researcher Sandra Da Silva. "There was a need to make this training accessible while also avoiding exposure to a real pathogen. With support from the Department of Homeland Security, we came up with this yeast reference material to support local training in a safe manner." Read More IN CASE YOU MISSED IT K9 Chemistry: A Safer Way to Train Detection Dogs Dec. 2, 2020 Trained dogs are incredible chemical sensors, far better at detecting explosives, narcotics and other substances than even the most advanced technological device. But one challenge is that dogs have to be trained, and training them with real hazardous substances can be inconvenient and dangerous. Read More

Connect with us Received this email from a friend? Subscribe here. Subscriber services: Manage Preferences  |  Unsubscribe  |  Help

---

If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please contact subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com. Technical questions? Contact inquiries@nist.gov. (301) 975-NIST (6478). This service is provided to you at no charge by National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 1070 · Gaithersburg, MD 20899 · 301-975-6478