However, he admits the device will detect other varieties of bacterial spore, not all of which lead to diseases such as anthrax. But, according to Amir Ettehadieh, UDT's director of research and development, the new device could serve as a useful front-end monitor because it is cheap, robust and automated, meaning it can continuously monitor an area without human workers.

The U.S. Postal Service is currently testing another detection system produced by Northrop Grumman, which is based on gene sequencing. Operation of those devices at the 282 main mail-processing and distribution centers around the country would cost more than $100 million each year. The U.S. General Accounting Office therefore began looking for alternative methods to decrease operating costs and found UDT's technology to be ideal, according to a report by the office.

Since the same number of "anthrax smoke detectors' could operate for a hundredth of the cost of Northrop Grumman's devices, Ettehadieh said, UDT's detectors could send out the first alert, at which point another device, not necessarily continuously-operating, could determine whether the spores were indeed threatening.

The first round of devices will sell for about $45,000 each, Ettehadieh said.

Kimm Groshong can be reached at (626) 578-6300, Ext. 4451, or by e-mail at kimm.groshongsgvn

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