COVID-19 Breathalysers, Which Can Produce Results in 2 Min, Might Be Used Widescale in S’pore

Ever wanted to try what taking a breathalyser test feels like without the dangers of alcohol and driving?

No?

Well, too bad, because you might have to experience just that in the future.

Almost as Accurate as PCR Tests

According to The Straits Times, breathalysers may be deployed for large scale use in Singapore in the coming future, especially to facilitate safe travel arrangements and large scale events.

Local firm Silver Factory Technology has collaborated with the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID), Changi Airport, and security firm Certis to develop the breathalysers.

The company reports that trials have already begun, with more than 400 individuals tested to date at NCID, Changi Airport Terminal 1, and Certis.

Named TracieX, these instruments are impressively effective. Its sensitivity rate so far has been over 95%, and its specificity rate more than 99%, which makes it nearly as accurate as the more common polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test.

In addition, the waiting time has been slashed—the results come in in just two minutes!

Why Breathalysers?

I’m sure many of us cringe at the idea of taking the PCR or “swab” test, where we have to endure a long q-tip being shoved up our nose.

Senior vice-president of passenger experience in the Changi Airport Group, Mr Albert Lee, noted that breathalyser tests are “‘less invasive, more cost-effective and can deliver results in two or fewer minutes”.

These disposable breathalysers are cheaper to produce, costing US$20 (~S$26) each. The product’s cost price is expected to fall once large-scale production commences.

He also added that if proven reliable, these tests would “make the airport experience for passengers a smoother one and give the reopening efforts a boost.”

Yay!

How Breathalysers Work

For those interested in the mechanics of the breathalysers, here’s the science behind it.

The technology in the breathalysers produced by Silver Factory has the ability to identify the molecular footprint of volatile organic compounds present in the exhaled breath of individuals who have COVID-19.

While an individual’s exhaled breath contains thousands of volatile organic compounds, viruses, bacteria and diseases will alter the composition of these compounds. Hence, they are able to be detected.

After a person breathes into a breathalyser for ten seconds, it is inserted into a portable reader and analysed to detect whether the individual is infected. A readout is later generated.

The breathalyser will then be disposed of safely after the test.

To ensure the utmost safety, the breath collection chamber even has infection control features that securely traps any contagious material within the chamber, preventing direct exposure of these materials to others.

TracieX Studies

At least 1,000 participants will be recruited in Singapore for the current and upcoming trials, with the latter being expanded to Malaysia due to the low COVID-19 positive cases here.

Oof, flex.

Unblinded trials (a.k.a. participants were aware of their COVID-19 status) are currently ongoing at Changi Airport Terminal 1 and NCID, where volunteers take both the PCR and breathalyser test.

The PCR test result is known before the breathalyser test is taken. The test results are then compared.

The next stage of blinded trials will be conducted in Changi Airport, NCID, and several hospitals in Malaysia.

Unlike the unblinded trials, this time, participants will have no knowledge of their PCR test result.

Dr Shawn Vasoo, head of the Infectious Disease Research Laboratory and clinical director in NCID, said, “This is an important part of diagnostic trials to make sure that the tests are performing as intended.”

Silver Factory aims to apply for regulatory approval from the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) by June this year. It aims to produce 200,000 breathalysers a month from June onwards, potentially raising production to two million a month.

The company is also currently working with Enterprise Singapore to bring this technology to the global market, as well as Temasek Life Sciences Accelerator (TLA) to apply it to other areas.

Another start-up, Breathonix, is also developing a breathalyser test and aims to gain HSA approval by the first half of 2021.

Feature Image: Andrey_Popov / Shutterstock.com (Image is for illustration purposes only)