235th ACS National Meeting in New Orleans -- press briefing schedule

Monday, April 7

9:00 a.m.

As nanotech goes mainstream, “toxic socks” raise concerns - Embargoed for April 6 at 3:55 p.m. Central Standard Time

Valued for its antibacterial and odor-fighting properties, nanoparticle silver is becoming the star attraction in a range of products from socks to bandages to washing machines. But as silver’s benefits propel it to the forefront of consumer nanomaterials, scientists are recommending a closer examination of the unforeseen environmental and health consequences of nanosilver. Paul Westerhoff, Ph.D. and Troy M. Benn will discuss the research. See corresponding news release, abstract, and nontechnical summary for ENVR 031.

Paul Westerhoff, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Arizona State University in Tempe, Ariz. Troy M. Benn is a Graduate Researcher in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Arizona State University in Tempe, Ariz.

10:00 a.m.

Fungus fight: Researchers battle against dangerous corn toxin - Embargoed for April 8 at 2:00 p.m. Central Standard Time

At the 235th national meeting of the American Chemical Society in New Orleans, scientists presented advances towards the production of corn less susceptible to aflatoxin contamination. The new varieties could contribute to the reduction of the worldwide threat of the deadly toxin, improve food quality in developing countries and increase corn yield for food in the United States. See corresponding news release, abstract, and nontechnical summary for AGFD 081.

Bruce Hammond, Ph.D., is a researcher in the Product Safety Center at Monsanto.

1:00 p.m.

News Media Briefing/Tour/Reception
USDA Southern Regional research Center
17th Street Outfall Canal Hurricane Project
Ralph’s on the Park Restaurant
Please register by noon April 7 with Mike Woods ( or 202-437-2037)

Schedule
1:15 p.m. — News media gather in ACS Press Center, Room 206, Morial Convention Center, or use alternative transportation.
1:30 p.m. Depart for USDA-ARS Southern Regional Research Center (SRRC), 1100 Robert E. Lee Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70124
2:00-2.30 p.m. — Arrive SRRC. Coffee, tea, soft drinks, press kits, background material
2:30-2:45 p.m. — Welcoming remarks and overview of SRRC by Dr. Pat Jordan, director emeritus
2:45-3:00 p.m. — Comments by Jim Seiber, editor, ACS’s Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
3:00-3:10 p.m. — Dr. Alan R. Lax, Research Leader, Formosan Subterranean Termite Research Unit. SRRC Research on Termites.
3:10-3:20 p.m. — Dr. Brian Condon, Research Leader, Cotton Chemistry and Utilization Research Unit. Medical Uses for Cotton Textiles, Non-Woven Textiles
3:20-3:30 p.m. — Dr. James E. Rodgers, Research Leader, Cotton Structure and Quality Research Unit. Properties of Cotton Fibers
3:30-3:40 p.m. — Dr. Ed Richard, Research Leader, Sugar Cane Research Unit, Houma, Louisiana. Bioenergy Crops, Especially New Varieties of Sugar Cane
3:40-3:50 — Dr. Thomas “Ed” Cleveland, Research Leader, Food and Feed Safety Research Unit. Metabolic Pathways for Aflatoxin.
3:50- 4:00 p.m. — Q & A Session, with follow up in labs and at reception
4:00-5:00 p.m. — Lab Tours
5:05 p.m. — Depart for 17th Street Outfall Canal and Katrina briefing by Karen Collins, USACE, who asks participants to wear “long pants, and closed-toe, flat heeled shoes.”
6:00 p.m. — Depart for Reception, Ralph’s on the Park, Magnolia Rooms 1&2, 550 Bienville Street, New Orleans, LA 70130
6:30 p.m. — Reception, with food and beverages, follow-up Qs & As, and dramatic survival and recovery stories from University of New Orleans faculty and others
8:30 p.m. — Depart for Morial Convention Center