WILMINGTON, Mass. April 16, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- GE Ion Track, a provider of explosive trace detection equipment used to ensure public safety at airports, today announced that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has confirmed that the Entryscan3 completed and passed laboratory acceptance testing. The newly approved Entryscan3 is a non-intrusive walk-through explosives detection portal designed to detect explosives concealed on the body of terrorists attempting to circumvent checkpoint security. The Entryscan3 represents a significant breakthrough in explosives detection and will bolster existing airport and other high-threat facilities' checkpoint security measures. Entryscan3 is the first and only walk-through explosive trace detection system to have received the agency's laboratory acceptance.
The TSA announced their approval of Entryscan3 to GE Ion Track, Wilmington, MA, after completing extensive testing of the system at the Transportation Security Laboratory (TSL) located at the William J. Hughes Technical Center in Atlantic City, NJ. Testing focused on detecting trace levels of targeted explosive substances on contaminated subjects.
"After rigorous testing at the TSL, we are pleased to have developed a successful technology that can help protect the public against security threats," said Anthony Jenkins, President of GE Ion Track. "We are committed to producing the highest quality trace detection equipment and plan to continue installing our products in airports and other high-risk facilities worldwide."
The Entryscan3 uses GE Ion Track's patented Ion Trap Mobility Spectrometer (ITMS(r)); the same technology used in GE Ion Track's VaporTracer2 and ITEMISER3 trace detectors. The Entryscan3 is already in use in high-threat facilities including nuclear power plant facilities, military installations, and government buildings, and has been successfully tested in airports in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
The Entryscan3 is the result of a successful five-year partnership between GE Ion Track, the Pennsylvania State University Gas Dynamics Laboratory, and the FAA/TSA. This research effort was based on the concept of understanding the natural airflow around the human body. An individual enters the portal and within seconds the natural plume of air generated by one's body heat is collected and analyzed and for explosive traces. The same technology can also be used for narcotics detection.
About GE Ion Track
GE Ion Track has been a pioneer in the development of advanced trace detection technologies since its founding in 1973. GE Ion Track's detection technology enables a rapid, non-intrusive scan for concealed explosives and illegal drugs at airports, prisons, customs checkpoints, government buildings, and other high-security locations.
With offices in many countries, the company sells to governments worldwide to provide explosives detection and drug interdiction equipment. GE Ion Track is an industry leader in developing advanced technologies to meet the changing needs of security and law enforcement. GE Ion Track, Inc. is a subsidiary of GE Interlogix, Inc., a part of GE Industrial Systems based in Plainville, Conn. For more information visit the website at: http://www.iontrack.com.
About GE Interlogix, Inc.
GE Interlogix, part of GE Industrial Systems, is a wholly owned subsidiary of the General Electric Company focused on communication and information technologies for security, safety and lifestyle enhancements. GE Interlogix has operations in more than 25 countries and is represented by some of the best-known brand names for intrusion and fire detection, access and building control, video surveillance, explosive and drug detection, key management and structured wiring. For more information about GE Interlogix and our product offerings, please visit www.GE-Interlogix.com.
About GE Industrial Systems
GE Industrial Systems spans the globe as an industry leader in integrated industrial, electrical, and security equipment, systems, and services. The business brings to customers the latest technologies used to distribute, protect, and control energy and equipment and to provide premise management. GE provides innovative product and service solutions for commercial, industrial, residential, and utility customers. For more information visit the website at: http://www.geindustrial.com.
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