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Vermont Company Joins War on Terror

Williston,Vermont - August 19, 2002

Montreal-born Triosyn is expanding south of the border. The biological research firm makes a filter that kills viruses and bacteria before they can infect humans. And while the war on terrorism continues, the need for such products grows.

The basic component of their technology is iodine. "The chemistry is sophisticated, but the active ingredient is a natural product," according to Triosyn President Pierre Messier. The manufacturing facility will integrate the Triosyn filter into things like face masks and even the lining of tents to be used by military and medical personnel.

Senator Patrick Leahy had a big hand in securing Triosyn more than 4 million dollars worth of contracts with the Federal Government. The Senator knows first hand about the threat of bio-terrorism, after an anthrax laced letter was sent to him last fall. Vermont's adjutant general says right now our troops don't have anything like this in the event of biological warfare.

"It answers a great need," Major General Martha Rainville told Channel 3. "It's hard for us to know what kinds of agents might be used against our soldiers and airmen whether it's anthrax or small pox or something else, all of it is bad and very difficult to defend against." Now, the hope is the technology produced at this Vermont facility will help better prepare the country for a bio terrorist attack.

Caroline Allen - Channel 3 News