SKC 560-001 User Manual

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Operating Instructions

863 Valley View Road, Eighty Four, PA 15330 USA

MethAlert Colorimetric Wipe Kit

for Methamphetamine Residues on Surfaces

Developed by the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH),
Centers for Disease Control (CDC), MethAlert colorimetric wipes are the fast way to
determine if methamphetamine residue above 15 μg is present on surfaces. MethAlert
is ideal for use by health and safety professionals, industrial hygienists, law enforce­ment personnel, fi rst-responders, social services, real estate agents, or anyone who
needs to determine if methamphetamine residue is present on a specifi c surface.

Using MethAlert

See Cautions and Handling on pages 4-5 before proceeding.

Store Step 1, Step 2, and Step 3 solutions
on page 5.

Keep solutions
fi eld use. Cap tightly.

Do not store MethAlert products with food.

1. Put on clean gloves supplied in kit.

Use new, clean gloves for each test.

2. Place supplied wax paper on a level surface. Place
test items (from bag) and bo les on wax paper.

3. Place template on test surface.

SKC recommends adhering template to surface.

4. Remove screw cap and adhesive foil seal from Step 1
We ing Agent bo le. Insert and tighten spray nozzle.
Prime spray bo le in waste can.

5. Remove gauze pad from package and spray gauze
2 times with Step 1 We ing Agent at a distance of
approximately 4 inches.

at ≤ 39.2 F (4 C) at

at ≤ 39.2 F (4 C)

all times. Pack in cooler with ice for

. See Storing

Place items on wax paper.

Place template.

Spray 2 times with Step 1

We ing Agent.

6. Using fi rm hand pressure, collect the sample by wiping the surface inside

6a6b6c

7

the template with the moistened gauze pad in the following pa erns:

and and

6a. Left to right in a “W”

pattern

6b. Left to right in a “Z”

pattern

Do not trap or push surface residue under edges of template.

When wiping, orient the wipe to concentrate the sample in one area on the
wipe. This will enhance color development.

7. Place wipe (sample or dirty side up) in plastic tray.

8. Remove Step 2

Developer bo le from cold storage
(≤ 39.2 F [4 C]). Remove screw cap and adhesive foil
seal and insert and tighten spray nozzle. Prime spray
bo le in a waste can and then spray gauze 2 times at
a distance of approximately 4 inches. Once complete,
cap tightly and replace in cold storage (≤ 39.2 F [4 C]).

Keep Step 2 Developer sealed tightly and cold
at all times.

Do not store MethAlert products with food.

6c. Repeat left to right in a

“W” pattern

Place wipe (sample side up)

in tray.

Spray 2 times with Step 2

Developer.

9. Remove screw cap and adhesive foil seal from
Step 3 Developer bo le. Insert and tighten spray
nozzle. Prime spray bo le in a waste can and then
spray gauze 4 times at a distance of approximately
4 inches.

10. Observe gauze for color development. If meth­amphetamine residue is present above 15 μg, a

Spray 4 times with Step 3

Developer.

blue color will appear within 1 minute. Results will
develop completely within 5 minutes. See Reading

MethAlert Results on page 3.

11. Once test is complete, record wipe result (photograph
if required), place disposable items in test packet
bag, seal, and dispose of as hazardous materials. See
Disposing on page 5.

2

Place disposable items in

resealable bag.

Do not dispose of Step 1, Step 2, or Step 3 solutions, spray nozzles, or
bo les unless empty or expired. Bo les contain enough solution for
several tests.

Store solutions at ≤ 39.2 F (4 C). Do not store with food.

SKC recommends sealing the solution bo les tightly with the provided screw
caps for transport and storage.

Thoroughly wash exterior of bo les with soap and water before
sampling at another site to avoid cross contamination.

Reading MethAlert Results

• The color bloom will be bright blue if methamphetamine residue is

present in the range of 15 to 5000 μg (see photos below).

• Positive color bloom intensity is directly proportional to the quantity of

methamphetamine residue on the wipe (e.g., meth at 15 μg would be a
lighter blue than meth at 250 μg).

• Positive color bloom will last 15 to 20 minutes. Photograph results for

permanent record, if required.

Positive

Positive – bright blue color bloom

Meth residue detected

between 15 and 5000 μg

(See Quick Guide for color.)

Negative

Negative – no blue color bloom

Meth residue not detected

at 15 μg lower limit of

visual identifi cation

Interferences

MethAlert is designed to detect the presence of methamphetamine residue to a
lower limit of visual identifi cation of 15 μg per wipe.

Possible Positive Interferences

• MDMA (Ecstasy) – very dark/deep blue color reaction

• Ritalin

• Methcathinone (Cat) – pale blue color reaction

• MDA (3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine) – pinkish rose color reaction

• MDEA (Methyl diethanol amine) – deep blue to muddy brown at higher

• Some secondary amines can cause a color reaction

Negative Interferences

There are no known negative interferences.

®

(Methylphenidate) – pale violet color reaction

concentrations

3