A National Research Council committee reviewing the health and safety risk analyses for the proposed high-containment laboratory at Fort Detrick will hold its first meeting Sept. 22 in Frederick, Md., to gather information for its upcoming report.  The committee will hear testimony from Army officials and Frederick County commissioners, as well as community members during a public comment session. 

The study will also examine the procedures and regulations in place at the current biosafety laboratories in Fort Detrick and evaluate whether these procedures and regulations to reduce unsafe exposures are comparable to those in place at similar facilities and whether they meet accepted safety standards. 

DETAILS:

The public meeting will run from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at the Hampton Inn & Suites-Fort Detrick, 1565 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick, Md.

Additional information – including scope of the study, committee roster, and meeting agenda – is available at http://www8.nationalacademies.org/cp/projectview.aspx?key=49109

Reporters who wish to attend must register with the Office of News and Public Information, tel. 202-334-2138 or e-mail <news@nas.edu>.  The public can register to attend or participate in the meeting by contacting Tamara Dawson at tel. 202-334-2776 or e-mail <tdawson@nas.edu>.