Patent ID: 8256747

Claim:
An apparatus comprising: a source of a simulant, wherein said simulant is at least one of: (a) a simulant of a chemical agent, and (b) a simulant of a biological agent, wherein said source is selectively fluidically coupled to an intake port of a sensor capable of detecting at least one of either said chemical agent or said biological agent; an environmental intake port, wherein said environmental intake port receives gases from an ambient environment, and further wherein said environmental intake port is fluidically coupled to said intake port; an exhaust system, wherein said exhaust system includes a collection device that is selectively fluidically coupled to an exhaust port of the sensor; and a controller, wherein said controller controls: (a) a flow of said simulant from said source to said intake port of said sensor; and (b) a flow of said simulant and said gases to said collection device from said exhaust port of said sensor, wherein the collection device receives the simulant and gases and prevents release thereof to both the ambient environment and the sensor.