Lab cancels planned biodetector tests

Contact: John Gustafson, (505) 665-9197 (99-105)

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LOS ALAMOS, N.M., July 8, 1999 -- Planned tests involving the outdoor release of a common bacterium have been cancelled due to ongoing public concerns, Los Alamos National Laboratory officials announced today.

The tests are part of a program to develop better devices for prompt, accurate detection of biological agents that could be used in terrorist or battlefield attacks. Scientists will look for alternate sites to conduct airborne releases of bacteria as part of the detector development.

"After meeting with neighboring Pueblos June 28 and after last night's public meeting in White Rock, I've decided to cancel any open-air testing anywhere at the Lab involving viable biological agents," said Don Cobb, associate laboratory director for threat reduction.

"The proposed tests represent an important step in developing detectors to counter the threat of bioterrorism," Cobb said. "The tests are provably safe with a high degree of scientific certainty.

"Nevertheless, maintaining the trust and confidence of our neighbors is essential. Therefore, we will not conduct the tests at the Lab," Cobb said.

Laboratory staff planned to conduct the tests at Technical Area 33 at the Laboratory's southeastern boundary, adjacent to Bandelier National Monument and about two and a half miles from residences at Pajarito Acres.

The bacterium to be used in the tests, Bacillus globigii (also called Bacillus subtilus) is found in soils worldwide, is generally harmless to humans and for decades has been safely used in biological studies as a stand-in for pathogenic bacteria. The bacterium is sold as a dietary supplement, used in hospitals to confirm sterilization procedures and used as a tracer in environmental studies.

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