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For Immediate Release
February 10, 2005
Scentczar to host third annual symposium to combat terrorism
RICHMOND, Va. – More than 100 scientists, industry
leaders and government officials are expected to attended
the third annual symposium on toxic industrial chemicals
and materials (TICS/TIMS) coordinated and sponsored by Virginia
BioTechnology Research Park tenant Scentczar Corporation.
This event has grown dramatically over the past three years
and continues to be of great importance according to Scentczar
President Joseph Roehl, Ph.D.
“
Determining what industrial chemicals could be used in terrorist
activities has become a critical issue in homeland defense,” said
Roehl. “The purpose of this event is to bring together
industry and government representatives to evaluate the problem
and begin discussions between various government agencies,
chemical industry representatives and emergency equipment
developers to implement solutions.”
Toxic industrial chemicals and materials are a particular
concern to national security because of their availability,
toxicity and the ease by which they can be incorporated into
terrorist activities. Many organizations have developed hazard
indices that list and rank industrial chemicals according
to their production, storage, toxicity and vapor pressure
as well as flammability and corrosiveness. Based on these
indices, the government can work cooperatively with private
industry to protect the public against terrorist attacks.
Keynote speakers scheduled to address participants currently
include:
• COL Camille Nichols, JPM Guardian
• Dan Kroll, chief scientist, HACH Homeland Security Technologies
Scheduled for July 12, 13 and 14, 2005, the annual TICs and
TIMs symposium will be held at the Broad Street Lecture Hall
at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. Those interested
can find out more by Scentczar at (804) 225-0487 or visiting
the symposium Web site, www.ticsandtims.com. Registration
is available via the Web site and costs $750 before June
1, and $900 after June 1.
“
The biotechnology industry continues to play an integral
role in national defense, whether it is in assisting the
development of vaccines for infectious diseases, creating
measures to ensure the safety of the nation’s food
and drug supply or protection of drinking waters supplies,” said
Robert Skunda, president and CEO of the BioTech Park. “Inhibiting
the use of toxic industrial chemicals in terrorist activities
has now become an important area for which our biotechnology
companies are creating innovative solutions.”
Scentczar, a small Virginia business,
recently patented the world’s first Residual Life Indicator,
a device designed to ensure that the carbon beds used in
chemically protective
suits, gas-mask filters and collective protection filters
for buildings will operate properly during a chemical warfare
attack. Scentczar also develops low-power custom electronic
hardware, pattern-recognition software and chemical instruments
used in a wide range of areas, including weapon systems,
hydrocarbon fuel storage and spoilage, locomotive efficiency,
and de-icing technology.
Contact:
Nicky Colomb
Virginia BioTechnology Research Park
Phone: (804) 828-6884
E-mail: ncolomb@vabiotech.com
Web site: http://www.vabiotech.com
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