Rapid tests for detecting toxic cyanobacteria and phenolic compounds

For organic pollutants in water there are currently no easy-touse, cheap and rapid test devices available. However, the application area has a growing importance due to expected water price increase as well as depleting water resources, pollution, weak sanitation, droughts, flooding and natural disasters in many parts of the world. Availability of assay methods used in field conditions would be useful for water quality maintenance, protection and evaluation purposes. VTT has demonstrated rapid, onsite testing of toxic cyanobateria and phenolic compounds. The cyanobacteria test was evaluated to have business potential especially in consumer use. In future the importance of testing phenolic compounds is expected to increase. A growing awareness of the importance of testing of endocrine disruptors and a more strict legislation may increase the business potential of the phenolic compounds test.