SKC 560-002 User Manual

Operating Instructions

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Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone] e-mail: [e-mail]

863 Valley View Road, Eighty Four, PA 15330 USA

MethChek Immunoassay Wipe Kit for

Methamphetamine Residue on Surfaces

Developed by the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH),
Centers for Disease Control (CDC), MethChek
wipe kits identify methamphetamine residue on surfaces at or above relevant
state cleanup levels. Ideal for pre and post-remediation evaluation of clandestine
meth lab sites, MethChek provides on-the-spot answers without waiting for lab
results. MethChek kits are available with a 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, or 1.5 microgram per 100 cm
lower limit of identifi cation (LLOI).

®

semi-quantitative immunoassay

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Using MethChek 100, 500, and 1500 Wipe Kits

(100 ng, 500 ng, and 1500 ng LLOI)

See Cautions and Handling on pages 9-10 before proceeding.

Preparing to Sample

1. Put on clean gloves supplied in kit.

Use new, clean gloves for each test.

2. Place supplied wax paper on a level surface.

3. Place Step 2 Extractor bo le on wax paper.

4. Remove plunger from syringe and place on wax paper.

5. Place supplied template on test surface.

SKC recommends adhering template to surface.

Consult state meth sampling guidelines for
recommended template locations.

Multiple samples in multiple locations within a
structure are recommended. Consult state meth
sampling guidelines.

Place items on wax paper.

Place template.

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6. Remove screw cap from Step 1 We ing Agent bo le.
Insert and tighten spray nozzle. Prime spray bo le in a
waste can.

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

Spray 2 times with Step 1

Wetting Agent.

Sampling

abc

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2

4

Using fi rm hand pressure, collect the sample by wiping the surface inside the
template with the moistened gauze pad in the following pa erns:

and and

a. Left to right in a “W”

pattern

b. 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 extraction.

Extracting the Sample

1. Insert gauze pad containing sample into syringe.

2. Insert syringe plunger and gently push gauze pad
toward base of syringe.

Press enough to loosely compact gauze pad.

3. Remove syringe plunger.

c. Repeat left to right in a

“W” pattern

Insert gauze into syringe.

Use plunger to loosely

compact gauze.

4. Open Step 2 Extractor bo le, hold syringe over
plastic tray, and pour Step 2 Extractor into syringe.

Pour Step 2 Extractor

into syringe.

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5. Holding the syringe tip over the plastic tray, slowly

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1010

1111

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insert and depress plunger to compress and extract
the sample from the wipe until liquid no longer
fl ows.

Depress plunger, collect

liquid in tray.

6. Place syringe tip in liquid in plastic tray and slowly
pull plunger halfway to draw sample back into
syringe.

Draw liquid into syringe.

7. Repeat Step 5.

8. Remove Step 3 Cartridge and disposable pipe e from packet and place on
wax paper.

Ensure surface is level.

9. With pipe e, add 3 drops of extract liquid from
plastic tray to the sample well (marked “S”) on Step
3 Cartridge.

Pipette 3 drops of liquid

into “S” well on cartridge.

10. Observe Step 3 Cartridge. Lines will appear
within one minute. Results will develop
completely within 5 minutes. See Reading

MethChek Results on page 7.

Do not disturb cartridge during sample
development.

Results appear in

≤1 minute. Development

completed in 5 minutes.

11. Once test is complete, write ID on cartridge
and on mini bag, insert cartridge into mini
bag, and transport or store.

ID sample cartridge. Transport

or store in mini bag.

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12. Place disposable items in resealable test packet bag,

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seal, and dispose of as hazardous materials. See
Disposing on page 10.

Do not discard Step 1 We ing Agent solution,
spray nozzle, or bo le unless empty or expired.
Bo le contains enough solution for several
tests.

SKC recommends sealing the Step 1 solution bo le
with the provided screw cap for transport and storage.

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

Using the MethChek 50 Wipe Kit (50 ng LLOI)

Preparing to Sample

See Cautions and Handling on pages 9-10 before proceeding.

1. Put on clean gloves supplied in kit.

Use new, clean gloves for each test.

2. Place wax paper and supplied items on a level
surface.

Place disposable items in

resealable bag.

Place items on wax paper.

3. Place supplied template on test surface.

SKC recommends adhering template to surface.

Consult state meth sampling guidelines for
recommended template locations.

Multiple samples in multiple locations within a

Place template.

structure are recommended. Consult state meth
sampling guidelines.

4. Remove screw cap from Step 1 We ing Agent
bo le. Insert and tighten spray nozzle. Prime
spray bo le in a waste can and then spray co on
swab tip 2 times at a distance of approximately
4 inches. Rotate tip between sprays.

Spray 2 times with Step 1

Wetting Agent.

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Sampling

1

2

3

abc

Using moderately fi rm pressure, collect the sample by wiping the surface inside
the template with the moistened swab in the following pa erns:

and and

a. Left to right in a tight

and continuous “W”
pattern

b. Left to right in a tight

and continuous “Z”
pattern

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

Wipe in tight continuous pa erns for best results.

Extracting the Sample

1. Open Step 2 Extractor vial and insert swab
containing sample (tip side down) into the vial.

2. Bend swab until it breaks to allow the vial cap to be
replaced with the swab inside the vial.

c. Repeat left to right in

a tight and continuous
“W” pattern

Insert tip into Step 2

Extractor vial.

Break off swab, cap vial.

3. Slowly rotate vial end-over-end; do not shake.

If foam forms, allow sample to stand until foam
dissipates.

4. Remove Step 3 Cartridge and disposable pipe e
from packet and place on wax paper.

Rotate vial end-over-end.

Ensure surface is level.

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5. With pipe e, add 3 drops of extract liquid from

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vial to the sample well (marked “S”) on Step 3
Cartridge.

6. Observe Step 3 Cartridge. Lines will appear
within one minute. Results will develop
completely within 5 minutes. See Reading

MethChek Results on page 7.

Do not disturb cartridge during sample
development.

7. Once test is complete, write ID on cartridge and
on mini bag, insert cartridge into mini bag, and
transport or store.

8. Place disposable items in resealable test packet
bag, seal, and dispose of as hazardous materials.
See Disposing on page 10.

Pipette 3 drops of extract

into “S” well on Cartridge.

Results appear in

≤1 minute. Development

completed in 5 minutes.

ID cartridge, transport or

store in mini bag.

Do not discard Step 1 We ing Agent solution,
spray nozzle, or bo le unless empty or
expired. Bo le contains enough solution for
several tests.

Place disposable items in

resealable bag.

SKC recommends sealing the Step 1 solution bo le
with the provided screw cap for transport and
storage.

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

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Reading MethChek Results

Ensure sample well on cartridge is on the right as shown below.

Observe results. Step 3 Cartridge results will remain visible for several months
before fading. Photograph cartridge results if required.

Positive

Sample

well

Negative Invalid

Sample

well

Sample

well

Positive

Meth residue detected

above kit lower limit

of identifi cation

at kit lower limit of identifi cation

Negative

Meth residue not detected

Invalid test

Perform new test

Negative Results

Q: I see two lines on the cartridge, but one of the lines is faint. Is this a negative

result?

A: The appearance of a faint line with a dark line indicates a negative test. The

appearance of two lines, regardless of intensity, is a negative test.

Invalid Test

Invalid test results are a rare occurrence. Possible causes for an invalid result
can include: damaged test cartridge, storage at high temperatures, expired test
cartridges, interferences in the sample (strong organics, bleaching agents, extremely
high or low pH), or improper test procedure (cartridge not held fl at during
development, insuffi cient sample volume). If an invalid test result appears, perform
a new test with a new cartridge.

If no lines appear on the Step 3 Cartridge, it may be due to one of the following:
insuffi cient volume of extract liquid was added to the Step 3 Cartridge or extract
liquid was added to the sample window instead of the sample well (marked “S”)
on the Step 3 Cartridge.

Protect developed cartridges from bright light. Bright light will cause
cartridge results to fade over time (not aff ected by indoor lighting).

Line density (faintness or darkness) is not equivalent to concentration.

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Interferences

The MethChek Step 3 Cartridge is designed to react positively to
methamphetamine above the particular kit’s lower limit of identifi cation.

Possible Positive Interferences

Compound

MDMA (Ecstasy) < 50 +100
d-methamphetamine 50 100
street methamphetamine
(methamphetamine hydrochloride, unknown purity)
d,l-methamphetamine 80 62
l-methamphetamine 650 8
d-amphetamine 2500 2
phenylephrine (component of nasal sprays) 2500 2
d-ephedrine 4000 0.3
l-ephedrine > 5000 < 1.0
d,l-ephedrine > 5000 < 1.0
d-phenylpropanolamine > 5000 < 1.0
d,l-phenylpropanolamine > 5000 < 1.0
d-pseudoephedrine > 5000 < 1.0
l-pseudoephedrine > 5000 < 1.0
heroin > 1,000,000 < 0.005
powder cocaine > 1,000,000 < 0.005
street cocaine > 1,000,000 < 0.005

Negative Interferences

There are no known negative interferences.

Approx. ng Equivalent to

50 ng/ml d-methamphetamine % Cross-reactivity

50 100

Possible Causes for Invalid Tests

Invalid test results are a rare occurrence. Possible causes for an invalid result can
include: damaged test cartridge, storage at high temperatures, expired test cartridges,
interferences in the sample (strong organics, bleaching agents, extremely high or
low pH), or improper test procedure (cartridge not held fl at during development,
insuffi cient sample volume). If an invalid test result appears, perform a new test
with a new cartridge.

If no lines appear on the Step 3 Cartridge, it may be due to one of the following:
insuffi cient volume of extract liquid was added to the Step 3 Cartridge or extract
liquid was added to the sample window instead of the sample well (marked “S”)
on the Step 3 Cartridge.

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Cautions and Reminders

Do not spray or wipe solutions or extract liquid on skin. Do not
ingest solutions or extract.

Handling, storage, and disposal summaries for all materials are on
page 10.

Use gloves provided with kit when taking samples and working with
chemicals.

Use new, clean gloves for each test.

MethChek Kits are available with specifi c lower limits of identifi cation
including 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, or 1.5 micrograms per 100 cm
1500 nanograms). Consult the meth cleanup guidelines available from

the state in which you are testing to determine the appropriate kit.

Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) as required by the condi­tion of the site, state meth sampling guidelines, Handling informa­tion on page 10, and personal comfort level.

MethChek is a semi-quantitative immunoassay test that can provide infor­mation about the existing level of methamphetamine residue on surfaces. It
may be used to determine the need for cleaning in a specifi c area or the need
for further cleaning on-site to reach state clean-up guidelines. Some states
and counties require lab results from quantitative wipe sampling before issu­ing a re-entry certifi cate. Consult state meth cleanup guidelines.

Multiple samples in multiple locations within a structure are recommended.
Consult state meth sampling guidelines.

Use MethChek on surfaces such as countertops, doorknobs, wood fl oors,
non-textured walls and ceilings, tables, chairs, bathroom and kitchen fi x-
tures (sinks, toilets, tubs/showers), appliances, curtains, and furniture.

Sample Identifi cation and Transport

• Photograph cartridge results if required.

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(50, 100, 500, or

• Assign a unique identifi er to each cartridge per state meth sampling

guidelines. Mark with indelible ink on cartridge and on mini bag label.

• Insert cartridge in supplied resealable mini bag for transport or storage.

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Handling, Storing, and Disposing of MethChek Materials

Step 1 Wetting Agent

Storing: 1-year shelf-life at ambient temperatures 68 to 77 F (20 to

25 C). Seal bo le with provided screw cap.

Handling: Wear gloves and safety glasses during use.
Disposing: Dispose of in accordance with federal, state, and local

regulations.

For more details, see Material Safety Data Sheet included in kit.

Step 2 Extractor

Storing: 1-year shelf-life at ambient temperatures 68 to 77 F (20 to

25 C)

Handling: Wear gloves and safety glasses during use.
Disposing: Dispose of in accordance with federal, state, and local

regulations.

For more details, see Material Safety Data Sheet included in kit.

Step 3 Cartridge

Storing: Optimal storage is at ambient temperatures 68 to 77 F (20

to 25 C) and in a dry location before use. Protect developed
cartridges from bright light (not aff ected by indoor lighting).

Handling: Wear gloves and safety glasses.
Disposing: Dispose of as hazardous materials in accordance with

federal, state, and local regulations.

For more details, see Material Safety Data Sheet included in kit.

MethChek Sampling Materials

(Gloves, templates, plastic trays, gauze, swabs, pipe es, vials)

Storing: Store in a dry location before use.
Handling: Wear gloves and safety glasses.
Disposing: A  er sampling, place materials in the resealable test packet

bag and dispose of as hazardous materials in accordance
with federal, state, and local regulations.

For more details, see Material Safety Data Sheet included in kit.

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MethChek Immunoassay Wipe Kit Contents

• Step 1 We ing Agent

• Spray nozzle

• Complete Operating Instructions

• Quick Guide instructions

• MSDS

• Test Packets, each in a resealable bag containing 1 each:

 Gauze pad (swab in MethChek 50)
 Tray
 Pair disposable gloves
 10 x 10-cm disposable template
 Wax paper
 Step 2 Extractor (1, 2, 10, or 40 ml)
 Syringe (not required for MethChek 50)
 Detection cartridge with disposable pipe e
 Sample storage “mini” bag

Ordering Information

Lower Limit of ID
Description μg/100 cm

MethChek 1500 Immunoassay Wipe Kit 1.5 1500 560-005B/3 tests

MethChek 500 Immunoassay Wipe Kit 0.5 500 560-002/12 tests

MethChek 100 Immunoassay Wipe Kit 0.1 100 560-003/12 tests

MethChek 50 Immunoassay Wipe Kit 0.05 50 560-004/12 tests

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Nanograms Cat. No./Qty.

560-003A/1 test
560-003B/3 tests

560-004A/1 test
560-004B/3 tests

SKC Limited Warranty and Return Policy

SKC products are subject to the SKC Limited Warranty and Return Policy,
which provides SKC’s sole liability and the buyer’s exclusive remedy. To view the
complete SKC Limited Warranty and Return Policy, go to h p://www.skcinc.com/
warranty.asp.

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Form 37206 Rev 1307