Autonomous Detection Systems (ADS), also called biohazard detection systems, or autonomous pathogen detection systems, are designed to monitor air in the environment and to detect the presence of airborne chemicals, toxin

Toxin

A toxin is a poisonous substance produced within living cells or organisms; man-made substances created by artificial processes are thus excluded...

s, pathogen

Pathogen

A pathogen gignomai "I give birth to") or infectious agent — colloquially, a germ — is a microbe or microorganism such as a virus, bacterium, prion, or fungus that causes disease in its animal or plant host...

s, or other biological agent

Biological agent

A biological agent — also called bio-agent or biological threat agent — is a bacterium, virus, prion, or fungus which may cause infection, allergy, toxicity or otherwise create a hazard to human health. They can be used as a biological weapon in bioterrorism or biological warfare...

s capable of causing human illness or death. Currently under development, these systems monitor the air continuously and send real-time

Real-time data

Real-time data denotes information that is delivered immediately after collection. There is no delay in the timeliness of the information provided. Real-time data is often used for navigation or tracking....

 alerts to appropriate authorities in the event of an act of bioterrorism

Bioterrorism

Bioterrorism is terrorism involving the intentional release or dissemination of biological agents. These agents are bacteria, viruses, or toxins, and may be in a naturally occurring or a human-modified form. For the use of this method in warfare, see biological warfare.-Definition:According to the...

 or biological warfare

Biological warfare

Biological warfare is the use of biological toxins or infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi with intent to kill or incapacitate humans, animals or plants as an act of war...

.

In the United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

, an ADS system was developed for the U.S. Postal Service following the anthrax

Anthrax

Anthrax is an acute disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Most forms of the disease are lethal, and it affects both humans and other animals...

scare of 2001.

External links

• Hindson et al. Autonomous Pathogen Detection System. Report prepared for the 2nd Joint Conference on Point Detection for Chemical and Biological Defense; Williamsburg, VA; March 3, 2004.