Abstract: The invention pertains to an immunoassay method for determining the presence of volatile organic compounds in aqueous, soil and air samples by simultaneously collecting and testing a sample volume suspected to contain such organic compounds. As a major problem in the assay of such materials is their rapid evaporation, the present immunoassay is specifically designed to eliminate or minimize the evaporation of the volatile organic analyte during sample handling as well as during the assay process itself. The immunoassay method is based on an assay vessel which has a lower portion, in which the immunoassay actually takes place, and an inert upper portion, which can hold a sufficiently large volume of sample to prevent or minimize evaporation of the organic compound from the smaller volume in the lower portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, reagents and kits for determining the presence of aromatic ring-containing compounds by immunoassay techniques, including enzyme, fluorescent, chemiluminescent and biosensor immunoassay, as well as radioimmunoassay. Monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies may be used in the practice of the present invention.

Abstract: Antibodies are raised against immunogens which include an aromatic ring moiety, preferably the compound 6-aminohexyl-p-tolylacetamide, which immunologically cross-react with small aliphatic organic compounds. These antibodies are useful in immunoassay methods for detecting a class of very small organic molecules such as 1,1-dihaloethylene and 1,1,2-trihaloethylene, whether alone or as a functional group on another molecule. Such antibodies and methods provide important tools for detecting significant environmental pollutants.