Anthrax test kits
may be available
in isles next month

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Staff and wire reports

Home test kits for anthrax could be available for sale in Hawaii late next month, pending federal review.

North Carolina-based Vital Living Products Inc., which makes water treatment and testing products, said it would begin shipping a home test kit for anthrax before Thanksgiving.

Vital Living planned later today to release details of the kit, which is to sell for between $19.95 and $24.95. Yesterday, the company said Ace Hardware Corp., whose stores are independently owned, agreed to carry the kits in its 5,100 stores across the United States.

Today, Ace said it has not committed to selling the product, but is interested, pending a government review.

"We're currently reviewing the product. We have not placed an order," said spokeswoman Paula Erickson.

She added it would be up to individual store owners to decide whether to carry the kits.

Alan Zane, owner of Ace Hardware Kaimuki, said his store carries other Vital Living test kits, for example one that detects lead in paint, and if the corporate office orders the anthrax kit, it will likely be available here.

"Something like this is normally disseminated to all the stores electronically, so we would be getting it," he said.

There are 15 Ace Hardware stores statewide, according to Zane.

Vital Living said the new product "will allow anyone to test air, surfaces and water" for the presence of anthrax spores.

Experts, however, say that when anthrax is suspected, people should leave the area and call the police.