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Scientists to Test Air Flow in NYC
A group of scientists and emergency planners will study air flow next month in New York to see how a release of chemical or biological agents might move through the city, the New York Times reported today (see GSN, Jan. 10). On a calm day between March 7 and March 21, researchers plan to release six different harmless gases from separate locations, then track the gases using trace samplers, the Times reported. They will also use wind vanes and other equipment to chart air speed, direction and moisture. Information gleaned from the test will help researchers develop computer models for the movement of toxic gases. “If a tanker truck carrying toxic gases crashes downtown or a terrorist releases anthrax in the air, you want to be able to start predicting the places that are downwind,” said Tony Fainberg, an official with the U.S. Homeland Security Department’s Science and Technology Directorate. “With computer modeling you can start to figure out whether to tell people to get off the streets immediately or to stay inside. You can also start figuring out where to send the ambulance, police and Fire Department.” “You can avoid having people running into the plume instead of away from it” by offering better information, Fainberg said. Data from the federally funded effort will be shared with local officials, the Times reported. A New York Police Department spokesman said the information would be useful, but noted that the city already extensively uses sensors to detect biological or radioactive agents. Additional field studies in New York are planned for August 2005 and March 2006 (Ian Urbina, New York Times, Feb. 11).
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