DEC. 4- LAS VEGAS–Emergency Filtration Products Inc. (EFP) has begun testing its nanotechnology-enhanced 2H Technology filtration system to be incorporated into an environmental isolation mask.

The development of methods to deliver small amounts of biological agents that can potentially inflict large scale damage to people, the lack of adequate personal protection against biochemical contamination and the perception that this is a viable threat, drove EFP’s search for filtration-compatible nanotechnologies.

EFP believes that the technology development constitutes the natural progression in filtration research in addressing viral and bacterial concerns, without regard to biochemical delivery contamination.

EFP entered into an agreement with NanoScale Materials, a Manhattan, Kan.-based company in September 2002. Nanoscale manufactures and markets the proprietary NanoActive materials and technologies EFP will utilize in its environmental isolation mask design. The reactive nanoparticle materials will enhance the capture and isolation characteristics of 2H technology by eradicating biological contaminants that come in contact with the coated filters.

Testing will be conducted at Nelson Laboratories (Salt Lake City, UT) and are expected to be completed next week. Nelson Laboratories is an independent testing laboratory that has served the medical device and pharmaceutical industries for over 15 years.

Nelson Laboratories is ISO 9001 certified (BSI) and EN45001\IEC\ISO Guide 25 Accredited (AMTAC).

“We have been looking forward to entering into this phase of the project where we will validate the mask design and efficiency along with establishing which nanomaterials are best suited to enhance our core 2H Technology,” says Douglas Beplate, EFP’s president. “However, it should also be noted that there is nothing at this time to base an assumption that in the event the testing results in a favorable outcome, that there will be any new market in the so-called biochemical contamination defense arena, or that any stand-alone product that we may be able to develop will be sold profitably.”