April 9, 2007 — /IEST/ — ROLLING MEADOWS, IL– Three scholarships were established by IEST recently, and the first recipients of the $500 awards are:

Robert N. Hancock Scholarship to the author of the best student paper published in the Journal of the IEST: Scott J. Distel, a student at Mesa State College in Grand Junction, Colorado, wrote in his letter accepting the scholarship: “It is truly an honor to have been selected as the 2007 recipient of the Robert N. Hancock Scholarship. I sincerely thank you for bestowing upon me this great privilege. I am all the more encouraged in my educational and professional pursuits in the field of Environmental Science because of this recognition by the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology. Furthermore, in addition to the financial aspect of the scholarship, I am appreciative of the opportunity to have my scientific paper published in the prestigious Journal of the IEST.” His paper will be published in the next issue of the Journal.

Eugene Borson Memorial Scholarship to an outstanding student in science or engineering: Brent Borochoff is an entering freshman at the University of Texas-Austin, majoring in civil engineering. In addition to excellent grades, his science project in designing a pump filtering plant earned Best in State honors.

Park Espenschade Memorial Scholarship to an outstanding student in science or engineering: John Khazraee is a sophomore at Daytona Beach Community College, majoring in mechanical engineering. In addition to an outstanding academic record, he has been active for several years in the Aerospace and Aviation Academy, and was named to Phi Theta Kappa, international honor society for students in two-year colleges.

April 10, 2007 — ERLANGER, KY and LONDON, UK– Medium-pressure ultraviolet (UV) water disinfection systems from Aquionics’ British sister company are helping a number of bottled water producers in England keep their product free from microbial contamination.

The first of these is the Silver Spring Mineral Water Company in Kent, which supplies spring water and own-brand soft drinks to the major British supermarkets.

“We have a very pure source of spring water,” commented Steve Clegg of Silver Spring’s engineering team, “but we feel a ‘take no chances’ approach to water purity is best, and medium-pressure UV provides us with that extra reassurance.” This was confirmed by quality assurance manager Sue Hickling, who said, “UV gives us a high level of confidence to ensure consumer protection and satisfaction.”

Seven UV units are now installed at Silver Spring, the oldest of which has been in use for over ten years. “We use UV on all our bottling lines and also for our municipal water supply,” added company trainer Jason Crockford.

Another company benefiting from UV disinfection is Angel Springs Limited, situated in the picturesque Chiltern Hills outside London. The company, which bottles natural spring water for use in water coolers, recently replaced its ozone water disinfection unit with medium-pressure UV following concerns about disinfection byproducts being formed as a result of ozone treatment.

“We were put off ozone by the potential for bromate formation as part of the ozonation process,” said Angel Spring’s Andrew Glaister. Bromide ions occur naturally in many spring waters and are completely harmless. If their levels are high, however, ozone can facilitate their conversion into bromate, a suspected carcinogen.

“Even though our bromide ion levels are not particularly high, we decided to go for the safer option and use medium-pressure UV instead,” Glaister continued. “UV has no downsides, only upsides, and since its installation we have been happy with its performance.”

Medium-pressure UV is highly effective at destroying all water-borne microorganisms, including bacteria, yeasts, molds, and their spores. It does not affect the pH or chemical composition of the water, ensuring flavor is not affected. Each UV system consists of a stainless steel treatment chamber containing one or more UV-emitting tubes surrounded by a protective quartz sleeve. Water passes through the chamber and the UV kills any microorganisms present by destroying their DNA.

All Aquionics medium-pressure UV disinfection systems are easy to install, with minimum disruption to the plant. They need very little maintenance, the only requirement being replacement of the UV lamps every 12 months, depending on use. This is a simple operation that takes only a few minutes and can be carried out by general maintenance staff. They also utilize automated wiping systems, which keep the quartz sleeves surrounding the UV lamps clean. The benefits of automated wiping are that no chemicals are needed for cleaning and wiping takes place automatically during normal operation.

Aquionics, a Halma Group Company, is a leader in the manufacture, application, and development of UV technology for progressive, non-chemical disinfection and microbiological control. The company’s systems are used in a wide variety of applications worldwide, including water and wastewater treatment, pharmaceutical manufacture, food and beverage production, microelectronics, and swimming pool disinfection.

For further information please contact:
Aquionics Inc.
21 Kenton Lands Road
Erlanger, KY 41018 USA
Tel: +1 859-341-0710; Fax: +1 859-341-0350
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: www.aquionics.com

April 10, 2007 — AGAWAM, MA — Microtest Laboratories (www.microtestlabs.com) will highlight its expanded contract manufacturing, virology, and pharmaceutical testing capabilities at the BIO International Convention, May 6-9 at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center.

With its completion of a $7.5 million capital improvement program, Microtest has added a new state-of-the-art pharmaceutical testing laboratory, a series of segregated virology testing laboratories, new aseptic fill/finish manufacturing facilities, and purchased a MicroSeq^® Microbial Identification System—along with the hiring of additional professional staff.

With this addition, Microtest has bolstered its services and emerged as a leader in the contract manufacturing market.

“As a customer-focused provider of both contract laboratory testing and contract manufacturing services, we offer unique cross-over benefits for our customers,” said Steve Richter, PhD, Microtest president. “These include a complete range of pharmaceutical and virology test services that can support full in-process and product release testing as well as product stability testing, raw material qualification, and assay development/validation,” added Richter.

“Moreover, since we manufacture the pharmaceutical product—as a growing provider of fill/finish operations—we have all the systems and procedures in place to fully support all the requirements of the FDA, EMEA and any drug-regulating body in the world,” Richter noted.

For more information on Microtest capabilities and services, visit Richter in the Microtest booth, number 533/A20, at the BIO International Convention, May 6-9 in the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center in Boston. Or, visit the Microtest web site at www.microtestlabs.com or call 1-413-786-1680 or toll-free 1-800-631-1680.

Microtest is a leader in testing services and contract manufacturing for the medical device, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology industries. Based in Agawam, MA, USA, the company’s expertise and flexible processes enhance product safety and security, accelerate time-to-market, and minimize supply chain disruption.

April 4, 2007 — WAYNE, PA — START-IT Magazine, a publication serving the manufacturing industry, recently named Deacom, Inc. to its 2007 START-IT 125 list of the most influential manufacturing technology providers. Deacom, Inc. develops and implements an integrated accounting and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software package for process and mixed-mode manufacturers, with a specialization in the specialty chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing industries.

START-IT‘s editor and editorial advisors determine the annual START-IT 125 to provide a snapshot of the industrial market and the companies with the greatest impact on its direction. Criteria for company inclusion involve the exercise of respectable business practices, alignment of focus and vision with the objectives of START-IT‘s editorial, and dedication to the education of directors, managers, vice presidents, and chief executives.

“We are excited about this year’s winners,” says Peggy Smedley, editorial director of START-IT. “The editors were more discerning this year, and some companies that have made it in the past have been removed, truly making this a remarkable and useable list for manufacturers.”

Deacom, Inc. is one of 28 manufacturing technology companies recognized by START-IT for the first time this year.

To learn more about the DEACOM Integrated Accounting & ERP Software System, or to schedule an online demonstration, call 610-971-2278 ext. 15 or visit www.deacom.net .

About Deacom, Inc.

Headquartered in Wayne, PA, Deacom, Inc. is the producer of DEACOM, a complete accounting and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system for building component, process, and mixed-mode manufacturers with difficult-to-handle requirements. The DEACOM system seamlessly links all departments within a manufacturing company, providing a comprehensive view of the entire operation. By making complex issues simple, Deacom helps streamline manufacturing business processes to maximize productivity and profitability.

Recall — Firm Press Release

FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.

Contact: Charlie Brown di Rutigliano & Figli S.r.l, +11-039-080-7839073

March 27, 2007 — /FDA News/ — BARI, ITALY — Charlie Brown di Rutigliano & Figli S.r.l, in Bari, Italy, is recalling Cerignola Olives, Nocellara Olives and Castelvetrano Olives from distribution because they have the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium that can cause a life-threatening illness or death. Consumers are warned not to use the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled.

Botulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning, can cause the following symptoms: general weakness, dizziness, double vision and trouble with speaking or swallowing. Difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension and constipation may also be common symptoms. People experiencing these problems should seek immediate medical attention.

The recalled olives were distributed to wholesalers, who then distributed them nationally to restaurants and retail stores.

This recall covers all sizes of cans, glass jars and pouches of Cerignola Olives, Nocerella Olives and Castelvetrano Olives containing codes beginning with the letter “G” followed by three or four digits under the following brands: Borrelli, Bonta di Puglia, Cento, Corrado’s, Dal Raccolto, Flora, Roland and Vantia.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.

The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing found that the product had a higher than required pH.

In response to these findings, the firm has amended its process to assure new product meets pH requirements.

Consumers who have purchased these types of olives are urged to visit their retailer to determine if the olives are from Charlie Brown di Rutigliano & Figli S.r.l. If they are the recalled products you will be issued a full refund.

Consumers with questions may contact the company at +11-039-080-7839073, or [email protected].

Infection control professional offers patient tips to guard against hospital infections

April 2, 2007 — /PRNewswire/ — KANSAS CITY, KS — Hospital infections are among the top 10 leading causes of death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control. There are countless stories about patients who go into hospitals with minor conditions and leave under much graver circumstances. As a patient, knowing the right questions to ask about how hospitals prevent infections is extremely important.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control published new infection-control guidelines last October outlining strategies to prevent the spread of antibiotic-resistant infections in health-care settings that affect about 2 million people every year.

According to Nina Shik, RN, an infection-control professional at the University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City, KS, “Those guidelines are critical since the proportion of bacteria resistant to antibiotics has risen sharply the past three years.” By 2004, nationally, 63 percent of the bacteria that cause “staph” infections had become resistant to antibiotics commonly used to kill them; in 1972, only two percent of these types of bacteria were drug-resistant.

Here are six suggestions Shik encourages patients to follow to determine if a hospital is doing enough to ensure patient safety:

1. Talk to your physician: Ask your doctor or surgeon about possible risks of infection associated with a particular procedure or test and what specific steps will be taken to reduce the risks of infection.
2. Adopt a good reporter’s tactics: Watch — before and after an examination, do doctors wash their hands? If not, ask them to do so. Look around, is the hospital environment clean? Signs of unclean hospitals include dirty floors, dirty countertops, clutter and health-care workers who don’t look professional.
3. Comparison shop: Compare the hospital’s infection rate with the national rates published by the Centers for Disease Control. Low rates are good, and a rate below the CDC 10 percentile rate is considered very low. Ask how many trained and certified infection-control practitioners are employed. The appropriate number of infection-control personnel per occupied hospital beds is about one per 100, especially for acute care medical centers, based on a recent study.
4. Ask the nursing staff questions: Consider that you’re an advocate and a member of the health-care team for yourself and your loved one. Inquire if hospital beds, especially intensive-care beds, are elevated at 30 degrees for patients requiring a ventilator, to help prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia.
5. After any procedure, be persistent about cleanliness: If a catheter is in place, inquire if it’s still needed since bacteria can enter the device and quickly spread through the body. Ask if incisions are dressed appropriately and if any sign of infection has appeared.
6. Ask the unobvious questions: The Centers for Disease Control advocates isolation to prevent transmission of germs in high-risk patients.
   If placed in isolation, ask questions about how aggressive the hospital is with infection-control strategies in isolation rooms and floors.
   Does the hospital screen high-risk patients? What kinds of patients are considered high risk? Does it carry out cultures on them to see if they carry antibiotic-resistant bacteria and should be isolated?
   Does the physician or staff check whether a patient is up to date with vaccines?
   Are hospital employees who are sick told to stay at home or go home if they’re at work?
   Ask about the hospital’s procedure for identifying infection and don’t forget to ask about custodial services. The infection-control team should make regular rounds to examine the environment and ensure all appropriate disinfection methods are followed.
   Also, inquire if the hospital has conducted emergency-preparedness training and, if so, have someone describe it for you.

“Don’t shy away from being nosy and inquisitive,” warns Shik. “As a consumer, you want to feel someone is listening to you and being forthright with you — especially about a life-and-death matter.”

Infection control is a constant challenge. That’s why it’s necessary for a hospital to retain a contingent of qualified, trained and enthusiastic sleuths with good science skills to be on continual alert. These personnel are essential to ensure that infection control ranks as a priority for everyone at the hospital.

Source: University of Kansas Hospital

Contact
Abby Berg-Hammond for University of Kansas Hospital, 312-228-6882

April 04, 2007 — /BUSINESS WIRE/ — HONG KONG — Global-Tech Appliances, Inc. announced today that its board of directors has approved a capital appropriation for its wholly owned subsidiary, Global Optics Limited (“GOL”), in order to expand GOL’s complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) camera module (CCM) manufacturing facility in Dongguan, China. This expansion is expected to enable GOL to increase production capacity to meet anticipated demand and also to maintain high levels of customer service for its existing and new CCM customers.

GOL currently operates eight CCM production lines in a Class 1000 cleanroom with a maximum monthly production capacity of approximately 900,000 units. Pursuant to the expansion plan, GOL plans to more than double the size of the current cleanroom and install additional production lines and surface-mount technology (SMT) machines during the months ahead. Upon completion, the company expects the expansion to increase the total monthly CCM production capacity to approximately 1.6 million units by March 31, 2008.

John C.K. Sham, the company’s president and CEO, said, “We have established approved vendor status with four major customers in China that we expect will order, in aggregate, between 400,000 and 600,000 units of our CCMs per month. One of these customers is a major brand in China and completed an extensive evaluation of our quality control and systems procedures prior to placing their initial order. We also continue to support many regional cellular phone manufacturers in China who have specified our CCMs and programmed their software solutions to operate them.”

Mr. Sham continued, “Our solid backlog and forecasts from our existing customers convinced us that it was necessary to invest in additional production capacity to maintain our current CCM business and to have sufficient capacity to support further growth in our customer base. Although we do not expect to utilize our expanded production capacity in its entirety this fiscal year, the expansion is intended to support annualized CCM sales of approximately $50 million at current selling prices by the end of this fiscal year.”

Mr. Sham concluded, “In order to sustain our momentum and further grow the CCM business, we also plan to expand our product line and features. We have commenced delivery of recently received orders for our newly developed auto-macro CCM and have started to export our CCMs to cellular phone manufacturers in Japan and Singapore. Additionally, in order to help maintain our competitiveness in the marketplace, we have also added electronic and process engineers in China to expand our product development program to incorporate new features and enhancements in our CCM products.”

Global-Tech Appliances Inc. is a holding company, owning subsidiaries that manufacture and market a wide range of consumer electrical products worldwide, including floor care products and small household appliances. These products are marketed by customers under brand names such as Black & Decker®, DeLonghi®, Dirt Devil®, Eureka®, GE®, Hamilton Beach®, Kenwood®, Pentax®, Presto®, Proctor-Silex®®, Sanyo®, Sharper Image®, Sunbeam®, and West Bend®.

Contacts
Global-Tech USA, Inc.
Brian Yuen, 212-683-3320
http://www.businesswire.com/cnn/gai.shtml

Contact: Michael Herndon, 301-827-6242

March 23, 2007 — /FDA News/ — The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and California’s Department of Health Services (CDHS) today released a joint report on an extensive investigation into the causes of an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak last fall that was associated with contaminated Dole brand Baby Spinach and resulted in 205 confirmed illnesses and three deaths. The inquiry was conducted by the California Food Emergency Response Team (CalFERT), a team of experts from FDA’s district office in San Francisco and CDHS. They were assisted by experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The investigators successfully identified the environmental risk factors and the areas that were most likely involved in the outbreak, but they were unable to definitely determine how the contamination originated.

“The probe was a notable effort by federal, state and local officials,” said Robert E. Brackett, Ph.D., director of FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. “It yielded valuable information we can use to determine how best to reduce the likelihood of similar outbreaks.”

The report describes the painstaking detective work of the investigators following the first reports from CDC in September 2006 of an apparent outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 linked to the consumption of bagged spinach. The probe initially focused on the processing and packaging plant of Natural Selection Foods, LLC in San Juan Bautista, CA, where the contaminated products had been processed.

The next focus of the inquiry was the source of the spinach in 13 bags containing E. coli O157:H7 isolates that had been collected nationwide from sick customers. Using the product codes on the bags, and employing DNA fingerprinting on the bacteria from the bags, the investigators were able to match environmental samples of E. coli O157:H7 from one field to the strain that had caused the outbreak. Potential environmental risk factors for E. coli O157:H7 contamination at or near the field included the presence of wild pigs, the proximity of irrigation wells used to grow produce for ready-to-eat packaging, and surface waterways exposed to feces from cattle and wildlife.

Because the contamination occurred before the start of the investigation, and because of the many ways that E. coli O157:H7 can be transferred — including animals, humans, and water — the precise means by which the bacteria spread to the spinach remain unknown.

FDA continues to work closely with its federal, state and local partners to keep produce safe from bacterial contamination. In August 2006, the agency announced an initiative called “Leafy Greens” that focuses attention on the produce, contamination agents, and other areas of potential public health concern associated with such products. Recently, FDA recently issued a draft final guidance, “Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards of Fresh-cut Fruits and Vegetables,” which recommends measures to prevent microbial contamination during the processing of fresh-cut produce.

Earlier this week the agency explored issues involved in the safety of fresh produce in a public hearing held in California, and it plans to hold a similar hearing on April 13, 2007, in Maryland. The goal of both events is to solicit and share information about the recent outbreaks, the involved and associated risk factors, and measures the agency could adopt to advance the safety of fresh produce.

Although washing produce would not have prevented the recent E. coli outbreak involving spinach, washing can reduce the risk of contamination from some other causes. FDA advises consumers that all produce should be thoroughly washed before eating.

The report on the probe of the Dole spinach contamination, titled “Investigation of an Escherichia coli O157:H7 Outbreak Associated with Dole Pre-Packaged Spinach,” is posted at http://www.DHS.ca.gov.