A hazardous contamination detection system for testing a test surface for the presence of a hazardous contaminant, the system comprising: a collection device (100, 200, 400, 500, 900) comprising: a buffer solution for lifting a hazardous contaminant from a test surface when the buffer solution is applied to the test surface, an absorbent swab material for absorbing at least a portion of the buffer solution and contacting the test surface to collect the hazardous contaminant, a handle (120, 225, 425, 905) having a first end coupled to the absorbent swab material, a second end spaced apart from the first end, and an elongate length extending therebetween, and a fluid-tight container (130, 220, 420, 505, 925) having an interior volume dimensioned to encase the handle and the absorbent swab material and the buffer solution, the container having a first coupling comprising a valve, the valve being biased closed and configured to open to release a volume of the buffer solution from the interior volume; and a detection device comprising: a cartridge comprising a second coupling configured to mechanically mate with and open the first coupling, wherein the valve of the first coupling of the fluid-tight container is configured, upon mechanically unmating the first and second couplings, to return to a closed position which prevents spillage of liquid from the container, an assay test strip contained in the cartridge and positioned to receive the volume of the buffer solution released from the container, the assay test strip comprising at least one reaction zone configured to produce an optically-detectable change in appearance in the presence of the hazardous contaminant, an image sensor positioned to receive light reflected from the at least one reaction zone and configured to generate signals representing an intensity of the received light, and control electronics configured to analyze the signals and determine the presence of the hazardous contaminant in the at least one reaction zone. a collection device (100, 200, 400, 500, 900) comprising: a buffer solution for lifting a hazardous contaminant from a test surface when the buffer solution is applied to the test surface, an absorbent swab material for absorbing at least a portion of the buffer solution and contacting the test surface to collect the hazardous contaminant, a handle (120, 225, 425, 905) having a first end coupled to the absorbent swab material, a second end spaced apart from the first end, and an elongate length extending therebetween, and a fluid-tight container (130, 220, 420, 505, 925) having an interior volume dimensioned to encase the handle and the absorbent swab material and the buffer solution, the container having a first coupling comprising a valve, the valve being biased closed and configured to open to release a volume of the buffer solution from the interior volume; and a buffer solution for lifting a hazardous contaminant from a test surface when the buffer solution is applied to the test surface, an absorbent swab material for absorbing at least a portion of the buffer solution and contacting the test surface to collect the hazardous contaminant, a handle (120, 225, 425, 905) having a first end coupled to the absorbent swab material, a second end spaced apart from the first end, and an elongate length extending therebetween, and a fluid-tight container (130, 220, 420, 505, 925) having an interior volume dimensioned to encase the handle and the absorbent swab material and the buffer solution, the container having a first coupling comprising a valve, the valve being biased closed and configured to open to release a volume of the buffer solution from the interior volume; and a detection device comprising: a cartridge comprising a second coupling configured to mechanically mate with and open the first coupling, wherein the valve of the first coupling of the fluid-tight container is configured, upon mechanically unmating the first and second couplings, to return to a closed position which prevents spillage of liquid from the container, an assay test strip contained in the cartridge and positioned to receive the volume of the buffer solution released from the container, the assay test strip comprising at least one reaction zone configured to produce an optically-detectable change in appearance in the presence of the hazardous contaminant, an image sensor positioned to receive light reflected from the at least one reaction zone and configured to generate signals representing an intensity of the received light, and control electronics configured to analyze the signals and determine the presence of the hazardous contaminant in the at least one reaction zone. a cartridge comprising a second coupling configured to mechanically mate with and open the first coupling, wherein the valve of the first coupling of the fluid-tight container is configured, upon mechanically unmating the first and second couplings, to return to a closed position which prevents spillage of liquid from the container, an assay test strip contained in the cartridge and positioned to receive the volume of the buffer solution released from the container, the assay test strip comprising at least one reaction zone configured to produce an optically-detectable change in appearance in the presence of the hazardous contaminant, an image sensor positioned to receive light reflected from the at least one reaction zone and configured to generate signals representing an intensity of the received light, and control electronics configured to analyze the signals and determine the presence of the hazardous contaminant in the at least one reaction zone.