The Importance of Random Oral Fluid-based Drug Screening to American Manufacturing CANTON, Mass., Feb. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Avitar, Inc. (OTC:AVTI) (BULLETIN BOARD: AVTI) was featured on the National Association of Manufacturers' (NAM's) popular radio program, "America's Business with Mike Hambrick." The program, broadcast on about 90 radio shows across the country, included an in-depth interview with Mr. Peter Cholakis, Avitar's Vice President of Marketing, as well as with Mr. Mark Feeback, of Swisher Mowers, an Avitar client. "We were pleased when Avitar was invited to appear on NAM's national business radio show," said Pete Phildius, Founder and CEO of Avitar. "Having one of our top executives interviewed by NAM as an authority on the subject of drug testing in the workplace, highlights the importance of the issue to the U.S. manufacturing sector." In the wide-ranging interview, Mr. Cholakis commented, "Most people are not aware of the extent of drug abuse in the American workplace. Approximately 10% of employees in any company, large or small, abuse drugs. That's about 14 million people nationwide and does not include alcohol. The cost impact of drug abuse upon American business range from $140 to 180 billion a year due to productivity losses, on-the-job accidents, associated increases in worker's comp insurance premiums and medical benefit utilization rates, and employee theft, etc. To be honest, though, the total cost is very hard to calculate. There are a lot of hidden costs with drug abuse impacting not just the workplace, but also families." Mark Feeback, of Swisher Mowers, noted, "Since starting the program in 2000-01, the percentage of our injured workers who test positive for drugs has gone from about 8 percent to far below 1 percent. Also related to the drug testing program, we have seen a reduction of premiums for workers comp, reduction of property damage, reduction of theft, and improved quality of our product. It's all related to drug testing. If you have an employee who is coming to work under the influence, he/she is not able to perform to the best of his/her ability. We, as a company, have a responsibility to our employees and the families of our employees, to provide as safe a workplace as we are able." The episode of "America's Business With Mike Hambrick" was broadcast on around 90 radio stations across the country over the February 3rd weekend. It is also available via podcast on NAM's website, http://www.nam.org/, as well as on Avitar's site, http://www.avitarinc.com/. About Avitar, Inc. Avitar, Inc. develops, manufactures and markets innovative and proprietary products. Their field includes the oral fluid diagnostic market, the disease and clinical testing market, and customized polyurethane applications used in the wound dressing industry. Avitar manufactures ORALscreen(R), the world's first non-invasive, rapid, onsite oral fluid test for drugs-of-abuse, as well as HYDRASORB(R), an absorbent topical dressing for moderate to heavy exudating wounds. Avitar is also developing diagnostic strategies for disease and clinical testing in the estimated $25 billion in-vitro diagnostics market. Conditions targeted include influenza, diabetes, and pregnancy. For more information, see Avitar's website at http://www.avitarinc.com/. Forward-Looking Statements This release contains forward looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties including the development and marketing of new applications and other risks that are detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In view of such risks and uncertainties, the Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward looking statements. Contact: Jay C. Leatherman The Investor Relations Group Avitar, Inc. Investors: 781-821-2440 Erika Moran/Tom Caden, 212-825-3210 http://www.avitarinc.com/ Media: Bill Douglass/Rachel Anscher, 212-825-3210 DATASOURCE: Avitar, Inc. CONTACT: Jay C. Leatherman, Avitar, Inc., +1-781-821-2440, or ; or investors, Erika Moran or Tom Caden of The Investor Relations Group, +1-212-825-3210 or or ; or media, Bill Douglass or Rachel Anscher, +1-212-825-3210, or or Web site: http://www.avitarinc.com/ http://www.nam.org/

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