GMA collaborates with Oral Fluid Testing Laboratories, providing pain-free testing for lead poisoning in children:

ORAL FLUID TESTING AS A CLINICALLY PROVEN TOOL TO SCREEN FOR LEAD POISONING IN CHILDREN
“Testing with Dignity”

“Revolutionary Lead Testing Procedure”

Until now the only accurate way to test for lead poisoning was through invasive needle or finger sticks. Recently, a safer, less-invasive method with no trauma to the child has been validated by laboratory analysis. A clinical trial was designed and correlated, by Dr. Anil T. Mangla, Chief Lead Epidemiologist for the Department of Human Resources, Division of Public Health of Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Anil T. Mangla MS., Ph.D., MPH. FRIPH., is also an Adjunct Professor at the University of Georgia, and a Community Assistant Professor at Mercer University, School of Medicine. 

This Clinical Trial, the first of its kind, was completed at Emory University Hospital, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, at Hughes Spalding Atlanta, Georgia. The trial was administered by Lynn Gardner, MD (Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Emory University), and samples were analyzed by GMA's Robyn Hannigan, PhD (Chair of Environmental, Earth and Ocean Sciences, University of Massachusetts-Boston), and former colleagues at Hyphenated Solutions (Arkansas).  All Doctors and Scientists involved worked tirelessly to see this study from beginning to successful conclusion.

The success of this study is “a milestone for lead testing on a universal scale”, said Dr. Mangla. Children living in inner cities are at higher risk of being exposed to lead due to older homes. Also, unlike blood samples which need to be refrigerated, oral fluid swabs do not require refrigerated storage, which is a major benefit when marketed to third world countries.

Another key breakthrough for this test is its “Green” factor.  No medical waste is produced from oral fluid testing, reducing the cost both to the environment and to the test user.

Oral fluid testing is faster and less invasive than blood testing, and much less traumatic for children. During the clinical trial, some of the oral fluid samples were collected from children as they slept in their mothers’ arms. This ease of testing also encourages more parents to screen their children for lead poisoning.

No government or corporate funds were used to complete this study. The inventors of this test used personal funds and a strong desire to bring a green, painless, and accurate lead screening tool to the world.

Contact:     Eugene E. Elwell
                   President/Inventor
                   OFT Labs
                   Phone 609-922-3596
                   gelwell@verizon.net

Patents:
1. 20090043226 Methods for Collection of Oral Fluid 02-12-2009
2. 20090038380 Oral Fluid Assays for the Detection of Heavy Metal Exposure 02-12-2009