InspectIR COVID-19 Breathalyzer: FDA authorizes first breath test for Covid

What is the News?

The US Food and Drug Administration has issued an emergency use authorization for the Covid-19 test named InspectIR COVID-19 Breathalyzer.

What is InspectIR COVID-19 Breathalyzer?

It is the first testing device that can detect COVID-19 in the breath samples of humans.

How does the test device work?

The device uses a technique called gas chromatography gas mass-spectrometry (GC-MS) to separate and identify chemical mixtures and rapidly detect five Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection in exhaled breath. 

When the device detects the presence of VOC markers of SARS-CoV-2, a presumptive (unconfirmed) positive test result is returned and should be confirmed with a molecular test.

Significance of this device

Firstly, this device is about the size of a piece of carry-on luggage and can be used in doctor’s offices, hospitals and mobile testing sites.

Secondly, the device can provide results in less than three minutes.

source: This post is based on the article “FDA authorizes first breath test for Covid” published in The Hindu on 16th April 2022.