PITTSBURGH, Nov. 1, 2005 -- Pittcon® -- The Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy -- announced today the Invited Symposia that will be presented at Pittcon, March 12-17 in Orlando, Fla. Attracting thousands of scientists annually, the Invited Symposia feature over 75 presentations and discussions on cutting-edge technologies used for numerous scientific applications. A number of Invited Symposia and contributed technical sessions, with speakers from the EPA and other leading institutions, will focus on the latest techniques and research in environmental science and technology. Topics include:
• "Direct Ionization of Real Samples in Open Air For Mass Spectrometry: Removing Sample Preparation Barrier," March 12 -- The next quantum leap in mass spectrometry will allow the ionization of samples under ambient environment, requiring no sample preparation. The techniques of Desorption Electrospray Ionization (DESI) and Direct Analysis in Real Time (DART) and their applicability for qualitative and quantitative analysis, for a wide range of compounds will be presented.
• "Updates to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Environment Canada (EC) air, water, and waste methods and Regulations; and New EC and EPA Methods,"
March 13 -- This Symposium will provide updates to methods published by EPA's Office of Science and Technology (wastewater methods), Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water (drinking water methods), Office of Solid Waste (solid waste methods), Office of Air and Radiation (air methods), Office of Emergency and Remedial Response (Superfund Contract Laboratory Program methods) and methods published by Environment Canada.
• "Detection of Terrorist Weapons: Chemical and Biological Agents," March 14 -- Highlights recent progress that will result in near term detection solutions as well as pave the way for complete surveillance systems. Two sessions will focus on chemical agent detection and ultrasensitive detection of biological agents.
• "Degradation and Treatment of Pharmaceuticals in the Environment," March 15 -- Highlights state-of-the-art analytical techniques for the identification and quantification of transformation products of pharmaceutical contaminants in the environment. The symposium will appeal to a broad audience including environmental engineers, pharmaceutical chemists, toxicologists, and analytical chemists.
• "Bioterrorism Detection Technologies," March 15 -- An overview of the current state-of-the-art and future of bioterrorism detection technologies as presented by experts from government and academic laboratories. The symposium is geared toward analytical chemists working in the field as well as anyone interested in homeland security and personal safety.
• "Bioanalytical Methods for Human Exposure Assessment and Environmental Monitoring," March 16 -- New bioanalytical technologies and applications to environmental monitoring and human exposure assessment. Technologies to be discussed include biological probes, quantum dots, biosensors, aptamers, surface imprinting, and potentiometric sensors.
Contributed technical sessions relating to environmental science and industrial hygiene include:
-- "Advances in Impurity Analyses for Water and Aqueous Solutions," March 12
-- "Advances and Opportunities for Trace-Level Beryllium Measurement in the Workplace," March 13
-- "Degradation and Treatment of Pharmaceuticals in the Environment," March 16
A complete listing and description of Invited Symposia, speakers, and schedules can be found at www.pittcon.org/symposia. The complete technical program can be found at www.pittcon.org. The cut-off date for Pittcon 2006 early-bird registration is Feb. 12, 2006. All Symposia will be held at the Orange County Convention Center.
Pittcon is the largest educational Conference on Laboratory Science and the premier meeting place for scientists and vendors of instrumentation and laboratory supplies worldwide. Presented annually by the Spectroscopy Society of Pittsburgh and the Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh, the Conference features cutting-edge technical programs; informative short courses, an extensive exposition of laboratory equipment; and more, all designed for those in the laboratory sciences. Proceeds from the Conference provide funds for science education activities from kindergarten through college levels and beyond. Pittcon and its co-sponsors contribute over one million dollars each year to elementary, secondary schools and colleges in the form of science equipment; educational opportunities and scholarships for students. Teachers and professors are recognized with awards/grants to enhance education and promote research. Pittcon also offers support to public science centers, libraries and museums.
###
