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908 Devices Launches Pesticide Identification Capability to Thwart Illegal Marijuana Growing Operations
Developed in coordination with the U.S. Forest Service, the MX908 can identify toxic pesticides that pose threats to wildlife, water sources and communities
About this update from 908 Devices Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"\nDeveloped in coordination with the U.S. Forest Service, the MX908 can identify toxic pesticides that pose threats to wildlife, water sources and communities\n\n BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--\n908 Devices Inc. (Nasdaq: MASS), a pioneer of purpose-built handheld and desktop mass spec devices for chemical and biomolecular analysis, today announced the availability of a downloadable target pack for the MX908® to enable identification of toxic pesticides. Developed in conjunction with the United States Forest Service (USFS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), this enhanced pesticide identification capability empowers responders with critical intelligence about toxic pesticides so they can take swift and appropriate action.\nThis press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221109005295/en/The MX908 mass spec device from 908 Devices detects toxic pesticides--like Methamidophos--onsite at illegal marijuana growing operations. (Photo: Business Wire)\nThe MX908 is a handheld mass spectrometry device that detects trace amounts of hundreds of compounds in seconds, including drugs, explosives and now eight dangerous pesticides. It is used by law enforcement, first responders, health and safety and other government organizations around the world. With the newly released Pesticide Pack software installed, the MX908 identifies pesticides quickly and accurately with minimal sample, displaying the precise name clearly on-screen.\n\nField detection and identification of pesticides is required in many applications due to their toxicity. This expanded MX908 capability is being leveraged first to identify the majority of toxic chemicals used in illegal marijuana growing operations on federal lands, which pose a myriad of threats to the environment, water sources, wildlife and people. These pesticides such as carbofuran, methamidophos and malathion are extremely hazardous and can pass through the food chain and linger in soil for months. Many can be absorbed directly through the skin.\n\n“Illegal marijuana grows are responsible for environmental destruction and devastation of wilderness, but it's impossible to know the scale of these threats with the naked eye,” said John Kenneweg, Vice President of Government, 908 Devices. “That’s why testing in the field is critical. The ...