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Saturday, October 12, 2024

DHS S&T to Conduct Airflow Study in NYC Subway

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) will conduct a week-long airflow study in portions of the New York City (NYC) subway system to determine the impact of certain airborne contaminants to the human environment. The study will gather data on the behavior of airborne particles if they were to be released into the subway.

The study, which poses no risk to the general public, will run from May 9 to May 13. The tests will utilize only inert particle tracers, or harmless, non-toxic, inert gases, and results from the tests will be used to validate airflow and transport models for the subway environment.

“This study is part of the Department’s ongoing commitment to preparedness and the shared responsibility of protecting the nation’s critical infrastructure,” said DHS S&T Program Manager Dr. Donald Bansleben. “The results of this study will provide us with a greater understanding of airflow characteristics, informing the research and development of next generation systems that continue to ensure the safety and security of the general public.”

There will be a single 20-minutes release period of tracers in multiple stations, and daily release locations over the course of the week. The tests will occur at any two of the following stations: Grand Central, Times Square and Penn Station. Air sampling will occur in approximately 55 subway stations around Manhattan over a four-hour window following these tracer releases. During the test period, commuters and travelers may see equipment, or experimenters in regular clothes, safety vests and badges.

“The Metropolitan Transportation Authority continues to be an active partner in safeguarding the New York City subway system and this study will generate valuable information on protecting against airborne contaminants,” MTA Chairman and CEO Thomas F. Prendergast said. “These inert gases are safe for our customers and employees, and the entire test will be performed with no impact on them and no interruption to service. We are fully committed to keeping our nearly six million daily subway customers safe and secure, and this test will bolster the MTA and our partners’ ability to protect them and the city at large."

Prior to the airflow study, DHS S&T conducted and posted for public comment a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) and proposed Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the use of the various tracer materials.

Homeland Security Today
Homeland Security Todayhttp://www.hstoday.us
The Government Technology & Services Coalition's Homeland Security Today (HSToday) is the premier news and information resource for the homeland security community, dedicated to elevating the discussions and insights that can support a safe and secure nation. A non-profit magazine and media platform, HSToday provides readers with the whole story, placing facts and comments in context to inform debate and drive realistic solutions to some of the nation’s most vexing security challenges.

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