[ChemBrin] Tracking NYC farts

[Tyler Durden]

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

Reminds me of the good ole days when they released viruses in the subway for 
a similar purpose. I'm guessing that in this case "benign" depends on your 
definition of benign.

Want to scuttle a fed program? Broadcast this on the Villiage Voice boards 
and on as many gay sites as you can find.

-TD



>From: "Major Variola (ret)" <mv at cdc.gov>
>To: "cypherpunks at lne.com" <cypherpunks at lne.com>
>Subject: [ChemBrin] Tracking NYC farts
>Date: Tue, 03 Jun 2003 13:05:53 -0700
>
>[And in a few years, the sensors will be augmented with tobacco, pot,
>maybe programmable
>DNA-scurf detectors.]
>
>http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/89128p-81072c.html
>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.

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