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UAMS
Toxicologists Lead the Charge Against Terrorism
11-16-01
(Little Rock) Toxicologist
Jay Gandy, Ph.D., is a chemical expert who can now add “counter
terrorist” to his job resume. His “weapon of choice” is
scientific information buffered with hefty doses of prudence and
precaution.
Along
with other scientists, U.S. Army specialists, FBI professionals, and
prosecutors, Dr. Gandy will present a conference next week [11-19-01
in Little Rock] for those who need to know what to do about
as-yet-unknown threats that might emerge during these difficult times.
In demonstration sessions, presenters will show protective suits, test
kits, respiratory masks, decontamination foam, and other products.
Because
of recent biological attacks, public agencies and private industries
have been overwhelmed by questions about how to deal with possible
threats in various settings around the country.
Fortunately
for Arkansans, the Center for Toxicological and Environmental Health (CTEH),
the Arkansas Department of Health, and the new College of Public
Health at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College
(UAMS) have responded to many requests for assistance and will
co-sponsor an intensive one-day conference on Monday, November 19, on
the UAMS campus in Little Rock.
“The railroad industry must protect
thousands of employees, tens of thousands of miles of track, and
hundreds of facilities located in communities all across the country.
Our police officers and firefighters may be called to any suspicious
site,” said Gandy – revealing the serious purpose of the
conference.
Dean
Pro Tem of the UAMS College of Public Health, Thomas Bruce, M.D.,
anticipates there will be approximately 125 in attendance.
“Registrants are equally distributed among transportation
industry personnel, Arkansas Department of Health environmental health
specialists, and local fire and police hazardous materials
responders,” he said. All
of the class 1 railroads in the country will send representatives,
including Union Pacific, Burlington Northern Santa Fe, CSX, Norfolk
Southern, and Kansas City Southern.
All will
receive accurate, up-to-date, and practical advice about emerging
threats.
Speakers
from the U.S. Attorney's Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation,
the Arkansas Department of Health, the College of Public Health, the
U.S. Army, and representatives from vendors supplying real-time field
test capabilities and personal protective equipment are scheduled to
appear.
Hulcher
Professional Services, Inc. and Specialized Response Systems, Inc.
will underwrite the cost of the conference, so those who “need to
know” can attend and learn with no “need to pay.” The conference
is not open to the public, but everyone in Arkansas will ultimately
benefit from the knowledge presented to professionals attending the
conference.
Questions
regarding the conference can be directed by e-mail to Dr. Gandy at (jgandy@cteh.com)
or Dr. Glenn Millner (gmillner@cteh.com).
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PR
Contact:
Mike
H. Mottler, Director
University Relations
Phone: 501-686-6270
Fax: 501-686-5067
e-Mail: mottlermikeh@uams.edu
Content
Contact:
Jay
Gandy, Ph.D. CTEH
Phone: 501-614-2834
Fax:
501-614-2835
e-mail:
jgandy@cteh.com
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