Vapor-sensing drug detectors comprise an emerging technology being used by police and other enforcement agencies, especially where violent crimes have been reported.
Downtown Portland Oregon’s central library is reportedly considering such technology for use in its bathrooms after library workers complained of seeing drug usage in bathrooms where people will go fairly regularly to use substances in quiet and privacy. The library also recently began investing in more security after one person was shot and killed outside the library in July and a man was stabbed across the street in August, according to reports. More security officers have been added and officials are considering adding metal detectors as well as vapor sensors.
A vapor sensing drug detection system called VaporID was successfully tested at the US-Mexico border in Nogales, Ariz., under the direction of the US Customs and Border Protection agency. It is designed to sniff out illegal substances in the air with no contact required and can identify specific substances from 0.6 to 2.4 meters away at a level of 10 parts per quadrillion, according to the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, Wash., that developed the system. High performance spectrometer maker BaySpec Inc. in San Jose, Calif has created a portable device equipped with the PNNL technology…