Hach and LightDeck partner to offer 10-minute HAB tests

LOVELAND, CO – On May 17, Hach, a global leader in water quality analysis, announced its partnership with LightDeck Diagnostics to bring LightDeck's proprietary "Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB)" tests to market.

As part of the commercial agreement, Hach will sell the LightDeck MC+CYN Panel, which simultaneously detects two of the most common toxins generated by Harmful Algal Blooms: microcystins (MC) and cylindrospermopsins (CYN). The partnership aims to combine Hach's expertise with LightDeck's innovative solution to bring rapid, lab-quality accessible water testing to drinking, recreational and agricultural water resources across the United States.

Harmful Algal Blooms have become more frequent and intense over the past few decades due to a warming climate and fertilizer run-off into freshwater systems. Recently, Oregon, Florida, the Great Lakes Region, and upstate New York all reported drinking and recreational water emergencies due to HABs and microcystins. Since toxin profiles change over time as the blooms disperse, there is a significant need for rapid tests to provide real-time, local answers. Current water tests require samples to be transported back to a lab which can take hours, sometimes days, to provide results.

"Technicians can use the LightDeck MINI Algal Toxins Testing System to definitely know whether their water source has been contaminated by a Harmful Algal Bloom," states Chris Myatt, CEO of LightDeck. "The device is one-of-a-kind on the market and our partnership with Hach will ensure that we can offer this solution to communities and organizations far and wide."

Leveraging LightDeck's proprietary planar waveguide technology, the test reduces the time and cost associated with generating critical data used to protect consumers of water resources. With multiplexing capabilities, the platform ensures that microcystins and cylindrospermopsins are always monitored simultaneously to increase the likelihood of detecting unexpected toxins and improving human safety.

Since 1933, Hach® has provided expert answers, outstanding support, and reliable, easy-to-use solutions. Hach analytical instruments, services, software, and reagents are used to ensure the quality of water in a variety of industries in more than 100 countries globally. More information is available at www.hach.com.

"At Hach, we strive to offer our customers the most innovative technology to improve water quality. We're thrilled to partner with LightDeck Diagnostics to deliver on this shared mission," says Jeff Stock, VP of Marketing at Hach. "The LightDeck MINI analyzer and associated tests have the potential to transform how our customers monitor for harmful algae blooms."

LightDeck’s proprietary LightDeck® platform combines an advanced laser waveguide with novel materials and patented manufacturing techniques to rapidly deliver lab-quality results anywhere. The LightDeck platform is achieving success in veterinary diagnostics and environmental testing. More information is available at www.LightDeckDx.com.

SOURCE: Hach, through PRNewswire