Luminescent proximity assay to rapidly screen materials for asbestos contamination

Asbestos use has been banned in many countries; nevertheless, it is still present in old buildings, emphasizing the need to generate rapid and highly sensitive detection methods. In this study, we developed a novel asbestos detection method based on amplified luminescent proximity homogeneous assay-linked immunosorbent assay (AlphaLISA). The method involved conjugating donor and acceptor beads with asbestos-binding proteins and mixing them with test samples. When both beads were simultaneously bound to an asbestos fiber, they were brought in close proximity to generate an amplified luminescent signal, enabling the detection of as little as 1 µg of asbestos. The method successfully identified 0.1% (w/w) asbestos contamination in talc and mortar, and in Rockwool following appropriate pretreatment. In contrast, detection performance was reduced in calcium silicate and gypsum, and the current protocol was not readily applicable to perlite and vermiculite. Further studies are needed to evaluate matrix-dependent interference and optimize pretreatment conditions. Although the method has three limitations–material-dependent applicability, semi-quantitative signal output influenced by fiber surface accessibility, and lack of morphological information–it provides a rapid, high-throughput screening approach that complements conventional quantitative and morphological asbestos analyses. This novel approach expands the scope of AlphaLISA-based detection to hazardous inorganic materials. • We developed an asbestos detection method using proximity-based chemiluminescence. • The newly developed method detects as little as 1 µg of asbestos. • We could identify 0.1% (w/w) asbestos in talc, mortar, and Rockwool. • This method enables rapid, semi-quantitative, high-throughput asbestos screening.