LOS ANGELES, May 1, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Universal Detection Technology (www.udetection.com) (OTCBB:UDTT) (Frankfurt:PO8), a developer of early-warning monitoring technologies to protect people from bioterrorism and a provider of counter terrorism training and solutions, announced today that it has completed the first Phase of the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) SAFETY Act Application for the BSM-2000 airborne anthrax spore monitor. The SAFETY Act provides liability protection to help promote the creation, deployment and use of anti-terrorism technologies.
The Support Anti-terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies Act of 2002 (SAFETY Act) provides important legal liability protections for providers of Qualified Anti-Terrorism Technologies, whether they are products or services. The goal of the SAFETY Act is to encourage the development and deployment of new and innovative anti-terrorism products and services by providing liability protections. The SAFETY Act provides incentives for the development and deployment of anti-terrorism technologies by creating a system of "risk management" and a system of "litigation management." The purpose of the Act is to ensure that the threat of liability does not deter potential manufacturers or sellers of anti-terrorism technologies from developing and commercializing technologies that could save lives.
"We are happy to announce the completion of the first phase of our application towards obtaining a SAFETY Act designation for the BSM-2000," said Mr. Jacques Tizabi, UDTT's Chief Executive Officer. "The process ensures that we continue our established dialogue with the Department of Homeland Security's SAFETY Act office towards obtaining this crucial designation for our technology," he added.
Unlike other WMDs, biological agents used as a weapon of war are easy to conceal, easy to release, and designed to cause the simultaneous infliction of mass casualties. The nation must therefore be able to prepare for and respond to the evolving threat of bioterrorism and react to all manners of mass casualty incidents as effectively and efficiently as possible. The three biggest life threatening bioterror scenarios that arguably pose the greatest threats to humans are a smallpox attack, an airborne anthrax attack, and a release of botulinum toxin, in particular in the milk supply.
Universal Detection Technology, in collaboration with NASA's JPL, has developed a real-time continuous bacterial spore monitor capable of rapidly detecting abnormal levels of airborne spores such as anthrax. The device is marketed under the brand BSM-2000 and is expected to offer a relatively inexpensive method for rapid front-line bioterrorism detection.
Since its introduction, small and large companies have been keen to obtain SAFETY Act designation. A few of such other companies that have designation in the biological weapons field include:
-- Lockheed Martin Corporation
-- Idaho Technology, Inc.
-- Bioport Corporation
-- Northrop Grumman Space and Mission Systems Corporation
-- Cepheid
-- Bruker Daltonics
-- General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products
UDTT is a supplier of counter-terrorism services and technologies to private and government organizations. The Company owns the license to a patented technology developed at NASA's JPL and utilized in UDTT's BSM-2000, capable of autonomous monitoring of the air for the presence of airborne bacterial spores such as anthrax. UDTT also supplies detection kits for detection of up to 5 bioterrorism agents. Among the Company's other products are radiation detection systems, educational material & training DVDs, and antimicrobial chemicals.
For more information please visit 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 bioterror '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.