AIR POLLUTION MEASURING DEVICE WILL BE ADAPTED TO DETECT ANTHRAX.

Byline: Evan Pondel Staff Writer

In response to the threat of biological warfare, Pollution Research and Control Corp. said Monday it will adapt its air pollution measurement product to trap the spores of chemical and biological agents, including Anthrax.

``Our machines are installed all over the place. They can easily analyze and say yea or nay to Anthrax,'' said Jacques Tizabi, chief executive officer of the company. ``We want to be able to monitor what looks like, feels like and smells like Anthrax.''

Following the announcement, the company's stock surged almost 100 percent, receding late in the day to close up 50 cents, or 78.13 percent, to $1.14.

The company was unable to furnish a list of clients whose machines will be altered to trap Anthrax. However, Tizabi said they are working with government agencies.

Hal Kassarjian, a marketing professor at California State University Northridge, said the company's move ``smells fishy.''

``Some of these so-called entrepreneurs attempt to hook immediate reaction from the public,'' he said. ``Someone might be trying to make a buck or two, just like other people selling gas masks.''

Pollution Research is altering its 7001 particle analyzer that functions like a vacuum, absorbing air particles in a given space. The particles are collected on a piece of tape that can absorb spores .1 to 2.5 microns in size. The thickness of an average strand of hair is approximately 100 microns.

According to Vincent Fischetti, a microbiology professor at Rockefeller University, a person can contract Anthrax by inhaling at least 10,000 spores. However, a single spore that lands on an open wound is also reason for concern.

Instead of testing the particle analyzer's ability to collect anthrax at the company's laboratory in Glendale, Tizabi said the device will be tested at an undisclosed location.

The company has yet to adapt an existing machine, but Fischetti said such a device would be completely viable - though rapid detection as to whether a spore is an anthrax spore is a difficult feat.

``And they (Pollution Research) aren't the only player in this field,'' he said. ''There's also real market in identifying a spore with expedience.''

Tizabi is a 30-year-old investment banker with Beverly Hills-based Astor Capital who assumed the Pollution Research helm after it suffered several quarters of financial woes. He had worked with the company previously, on several business deals for about three years.

``There was a diamond in the rough. Al Gosselin (former chief executive officer) was a great operator, but he couldn't assemble a great corporate team,'' Tizabi said.

In June, Pollution Research said it had not received as much working capital as expected and that a prospective customer could not guarantee to pay for the shipment of a product.

In the second quarter ended June 30, the company reported revenues of $900,000, compared with $1 million in the same quarter a year ago.

Pollution Research also saw a net loss of $988,000, versus a loss of $647,000 a year ago.

Gosselin, the former CEO, was unavailable for comment.