LOS ANGELES, Oct. 17, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Universal Detection Technology (www.udetection.com) (OTCBB:UNDT) (Frankfurt:PO8), a developer of early-warning monitoring technologies to protect people from bioterrorism and other infectious health threats and provider of counter-terrorism consulting and training services, reported today that it has received a purchase order for its anthrax detection equipment from the United States Army Corps of Engineers. The detection equipment is designed to check for anthrax and can return results in as little as 3 minutes.
The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is made up of approximately 34,600 Civilian and 650 military members. The military and civilian engineers, scientists and other specialists work hand in hand as leaders in engineering and environmental matters. The diverse workforce of biologists, engineers, geologists, hydrologists, natural resource managers and other professionals meets the demands of changing times and requirements as a vital part of America's Army.
A recent commission chaired by former senators Bob Graham and Jim Talent has found that the nation is "very exposed" in terms of preparedness to a bioterrorist attack. The next U.S. president should put more emphasis on countering biological threats as part of a rethinking of national security strategy, according to early assessments from the leaders of a commission. "Both biological and nuclear threats are significant in their ability to kill hundreds of thousands, but a biological attack is easier to launch and harder to combat because many biological weapon components are widely available and have benign uses," said the commission's chairman, former Sen. Bob Graham of Florida.
UNDT's anthrax detection equipment has been extensively used by first responders and private industry throughout the country. The equipment has been evaluated by the U.S. DOD as well as the United Kingdom military. The equipment's capacities include:
* No cross-reactivity with near neighbor strains.
* No cross-reactivity to household powders.
* No set up time.
* No expensive reader needed.
* No decontamination requirements.
* No false positives.
* No false negatives.
* No hook effect.
"The USACE is responsible for designing and managing the construction of military facilities for the Army and Air Force and we hope that our detection equipment can become an integral part of their efforts for base protection," said Mr. Jacques Tizabi, UNDT's Chief Executive Officer.
UNDT has received the purchase orders referred to in this news release through Security Solutions International (SSI). The equipment was billed to the USACE by SSI as part of participation in the counterterrorism training at the Gulf Coast Terrorism Conference and are expected to be delivered to them directly from UDT within the next 30 days.
For more information please visit our website at www.udetection.com or
Email us at info@udetection.com.
About Universal Detection Technology
Universal Detection Technology is a developer of monitoring technologies, including bioterrorism detection devices. The Company on its own and with development partners is positioned to capitalize on opportunities related to Homeland Security. For example, the Company, in cooperation with NASA, has developed a bacterial spore detector that detects certain biohazard substances. The Company is also a reseller of handheld assays used for detection of five bioterrorism agents, radiation detection systems, and antimicrobial products. For more information, please visit www.udetection.com.
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Forward-Looking Statements
Except for historical information contained herein, the statements in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause the Company's actual results, performance and achievement in the future to differ materially from forecasted results, performance, and achievement. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes in the Company's plans or expectations.