LOS ANGELES, March 4, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Universal Detection Technology (www.udetection.com) (OTCBB:UDTT) (Frankfurt:PO8.F), 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, announced today that it has received orders for its ricin detection kits after the recent ricin incident in Las Vegas. Last week police in Las Vegas said a man is in critical condition after being found unconscious in a motel room with a powder suspected of being the poison ricin.
Investigators were still trying to figure out a mystery about how a rare, deadly poison was brought to a motel in Las Vegas, authorities said on Saturday. Adding to the mystery, police said firearms and an "anarchist type textbook" were found in the same room where the ricin was discovered two days later. After authorities seized the book and weapons, tests for ricin were conducted but came back negative, Las Vegas police Capt. Joseph Lombardo said. The deadly substance was found in several vials of powder in a plastic bag in the room on Thursday.
Ricin is a toxin that can be made from the waste left over from processing castor beans. It is one of the most toxic and easily produced plant toxins. If injected, as little as 500 micrograms of ricin could be enough to kill an adult; some animal research indicates that similar amounts could be lethal, if inhaled. Ricin has been used in the past as a bioterrorist weapon and remains a serious threat.
"The recent incident indicates that the threat of terrorism with unconventional weapons is a reality that we live with in today's world," said Mr. Jacques Tizabi, UDTT's Chief Executive Officer. "Although no direct links to terrorism has been yet drawn in this recent case in Las Vegas, it is important to note that hazardous materials in the hands of domestic terrorists can be a very serious threat. We are proud to supply cutting edge detection technologies to first responders who are the first to come to close contact with such chemical and biological substances," he added.
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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 bio-terror 'smoke' detector that detects certain bio hazard substances. For more information, please visit http://www.udetection.com.
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.