NYT: E.P.A. Report Finds Lag in Monitoring Attacks (poor management)

[DeepModem Mom]

Feel safer?


E.P.A. Report Finds Lag in Monitoring Attacks
By ERIC LIPTON

Published: March 25, 2005

WASHINGTON, March 24- The effort for quick detection of a biological attack in major cities is faltering because of shortcomings in the Environmental Protection Agency's management of the program, its inspector general said in a report released on Thursday.

Under the program, BioWatch, air monitors have been set up over the last three years in at least 30 metropolitan regions in an effort to detect within 36 hours the release of deadly pathogens like anthrax, smallpox or plague.

More than $200 million has been spent, including the cost of installing the monitors in cities like Boston, Chicago, Houston, New York, San Diego, San Francisco and Washington.

The inspector general, Nikki L. Tinsley, found that in some cases the monitors were installed too high or too close to the ground or next to objects that obstruct air flow. In other cases, the monitors are too far apart to ensure that they could detect an attack or are in places where they could be tampered with or vandalized.

The agency has also not ensured that the monitoring equipment is regularly checked to make sure it is working properly; in some cases, it said, improper maintenance has resulted in incorrectly calibrated equipment....


http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/25/politics/25epa.html

[AuntiBush]

1. And all they care about are Gays and 1 gal named Terry.

Thanks for point to that story. How much more can any of us take.