Sensors to sniff out toxins in wind

DAILY NEWS ^ | June 3, 2003 | GREG GITTRICH

[presidio9]

Federal scientists will soon blanket the heart of midtown and the West Village with high-tech sensors designed to track biological, chemical and radiological agents in the event of a terrorist attack. The security project is a first step toward creating a vast network of sensors that can predict how the fallout from a weapon of mass destruction might spread through the city.

"We would like to work out what areas would be dangerous and, more importantly, what areas would be safe," said Bruce Hicks, director of the Air Resources Laboratory of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The research is considered crucial because mathematical and computer models that forecast the airborne paths of toxins were designed for rural areas, not cities.

"Right now, the models that we have are not set up for dense urban areas with the canyons and the complexities that exist in New York," said Dr. Ralph James, director of the Energy, Environment and National Security unit at Brookhaven National Laboratory on Long Island.

Five sensors already have been placed as part of the project, called the Urban Atmospheric Observatory.

The instruments, attached to a federal building near Varick and W. Houston Sts., measure wind direction, velocity and turbulence.

Scores of similar sensors, as well as radiation detectors, are expected to be placed this year around midtown and the West Village - considered potential terrorist targets.

Tracing gases

"Anywhere we can hang an instrument, we are going to try to get one out there," said Michael Reynolds, a research scientist at the Brookhaven labs, part of the Energy Department.

This summer, federal scientists plan to release benign gases in Manhattan and use the sensors to track them.

"That way, we can really get an idea of how well the models work," Reynolds said.

A similar program, called DCNet, is underway in Washington, where 13 sensors have been placed near sensitive sites, including the White House.

New York is seeking up to $10 million from the Homeland Security Department to expand its network.

Reynolds said it would cost about $30 million to $40 million a year to fully implement the sensors in New York.

[RooRoobird14]

Does the toxic gas detector have a special setting for "Frenchman B.O."?

(Okay, okay, that was completely uncalled for and I'm very bad and mean and immature .....................LOL!)

[presidio9]

No, but I'm confused as to why they are going out of their way to protect the inhabitants of the West Village. The buttsex crowd has been waging biological warfare on itself for 20 years now.

[Eala]

Methinks they need hot gas sensors in D.C. Especially down by DNC HQ.

[TaxRelief]

[OldFriend]

And then where will all the wiseguys be when they need to use their plastic sheeting and duct tape?

[adam_az]

"Sensors to sniff out toxins in wind"

I think my girlfriend would like to get her hands on one of these babies - she seems to think I have toxic wind.

[4mycountry]

And what if someone farts? Will the sensor go off?

(I too am very bad and mean and immature.)

[Eowyn-of-Rohan]

So what happens if someone sprays their lawn with insecticides?

[presidio9]

Um, there are no "lawns" in Manhattan.


Well, the Great Lawn, maybe...

[Eowyn-of-Rohan]

Wasnt thinking of Manhattan specifically ... but of how such a "sensor" would work. I am not that stupid...

[presidio9]

Well, for the time being, I don't think that it is realistic to think that we can afford to begin installing sensors in places where people have front lawns. Only in high target areas. The landscaping crew of the White House can worry about that issue seperately.

[Eowyn-of-Rohan]

It was just a theoretical point. Pesticides are not used in NYC? Are there other substances that might trigger an "alarm" response from their sensors? No need to respond--I am just trying to clarify my reasons for scepticism