Physical Computing 3B The Dioxin Biosensor provides a faster, more specific/accurate, simple method for detecting trace amounts of dioxin, a dangerous chemical accumulated in meat, dairy and seafood products. It is the first device of its kind using bacterial cells. It will allow people with no special training to analyze soil, water or food for trace amounts of dioxin in a fast and easy way. Now the detection of dioxins in food exports, farm stocks, aquaculture ponds, chemical industries or natural disasters (forest fires, volcanic eruptions) can be done in site.

• Dioxin is a dangerous chemical accumulated in meat, dairy and seafood products.

• Many people have consumed Dioxin as a result of not knowing it was in their food

Dioxins are highly toxic and can cause reproductive and developmental problems, damage the immune system, interfere with hormones and also cause cancer.

The quantitative chemical analysis of dioxins requires sophisticated methods that are available only in a limited number of laboratories around the world. The analysis costs are very high and vary according to the type of sample, but range from over US$ 1000 for the analysis of a single biological sample to several thousand US dollars for the comprehensive assessment of release from a waste incinerator.

1. https://www.socialtech.org.uk/projects/3b-the-dioxin-biosensor/

2. Dioxins and Their Effect on Human Health - https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dioxins-and-their-effects-on-human-health#:~:text=The%20analysis%20costs%20are%20very,release%20from%20a%20waste%20incinerator.

Sierra Briscoe - www.linkedin.com/in/sierrabriscoe