Tackling contamination

A new analysis method can detect the kidney-damaging chemical melamine, which was used to contaminate infant formula in China last September, at very low levels within a matter of seconds.

A research team at Purdue University created the analysis method to detect levels of melamine in the low parts-per-billion in milk and milk powder in about 25 seconds.

An estimated 50,000 Chinese children fell ill and several died after drinking the melamine-contaminated formula.

Melamine, which is used in plastics, was deliberately added to the formula to artificially bump up apparent protein levels.

The chemical also was found in the contaminated pet food produced in China responsible for the deaths of a reported 8,500 dogs and cats in the US in March 2007.

The US Food and Drug Administration issued new guidelines in November 2008, limiting melamine in dairy products to one part-per-million or less.

R. Graham Cooks, Purdue's Henry B. Hass distinguished professor of chemistry, who led the team that developed the analysis method, said:  'This situation created an immediate need for an analytical method that is highly sensitive, fast, accurate and easy to use.'