MISSISSAUGA, ON , June 9, 2021 /CNW/ -- Bureau Veritas , a world-leader in Testing, Inspection and Certification (TIC) services, announced that it is now offering testing for the SARS-CoV-2 virus in wastewater samples, through a large laboratory network in Canada . This testing is performed in support of wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) services for identifying and monitoring community COVID-19 outbreaks across Canada .
Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is a rapidly growing field that monitors the health and behavior of a population by testing for viral indicators in wastewater samples. The concentration of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in wastewater can provide a quick and accurate snapshot of the prevalence of COVID-19 in the community at large. Monitoring changes in daily concentrations of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in municipal wastewater presents a potentially predictive tool that can help direct proactive and targeted public health actions. WBE monitoring of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in wastewater may also offer a measure of the effectiveness of community vaccination programs.
Bureau Veritas is offering a validated reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) method for measuring the SARS CoV-2 virus in municipal wastewater (sanitary sewer) samples. To launch this service, Bureau Veritas worked with various academic institutions, industry associations and government stakeholders to develop and validate the RT-qPCR method and took part in inter-laboratory round-robin testing to confirm the method's accuracy and reliability. Leveraging its extensive depth of scientific expertise in environmental and genetic testing, Bureau Veritas is uniquely positioned among commercial laboratories and provides consultative support to ensure that the test results are understood and meet client objectives.
"Bureau Veritas has been a leader in wastewater testing services for over 40 years, ensuring the safety of our communities and the protection of aquatic habitats. We are excited to expand our service offering to include the detection of SARS-CoV-2 and provide data that ultimately, can guide and assist public health efforts," said Dr. Terry Obal , Chief Science Advisor, Bureau Veritas North America.
Bureau Veritas combines capabilities in chemical, ultratrace, microbiological, radiological and toxicity-based testing to offer complete testing services for drinking, ground and surface water as well as wastewater that meets regional, provincial and national regulatory requirements.
Bureau Veritas' COVID-19 wastewater testing services will expand the BV Green Line , a wide range of existing sustainability services and solutions that enable clients to address the growing challenges of society, and to implement, measure and achieve their sustainability objectives.
About Bureau Veritas
Bureau Veritas is a world leader in laboratory testing, inspection and certification services. Created in 1828, the Group has 75,000 employees located in more than 1,600 offices and laboratories around the globe. Bureau Veritas helps its clients improve their performance by offering services and innovative solutions in order to ensure that their assets, products, infrastructure and processes meet standards and regulations in terms of quality, health and safety, environmental protection and social responsibility.
Bureau Veritas is listed on Euronext Paris and belongs to the Next 20 index.
Compartment A, ISIN code FR 0006174348, stock symbol: BVI.
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SOURCE Bureau Veritas
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