Spinoff story

Lead Poison Detection

A real-world story of NASA technology finding a life beyond the mission.

About this technology

Overview

With NASA contracts, Whittaker Corporations Space Science division has developed an electro-optical instrument to mass screen for lead poisoning. Device is portable and detects protoporphyrin in whole blood. Free corpuscular porphyrins occur as an early effect of lead ingestion. Also detects lead in urine used to confirm blood tests. Test is inexpensive and can be applied by relatively unskilled personnel. Similar Whittaker fluorometry device called drug screen" can measure morphine and quinine in urine much faster and cheaper than other methods. "