Project BioWatch

Project BioWatch, also known as the Urban Monitoring Program, falls under the direction of "the newest Federal science funding agency, reporting to Charles McQueary, DHS Undersecretary for Science and Technology."[1]

"Project BioWatch is a cooperative effort among DHS, EPA, and the CDC's Laboratory Response Network to provide an early warning system for bio-threats. There are currently over 4000 atmospheric monitoring stations nation-wide for the detection of atmospheric pollutants. Under the auspices of Project BioWatch, atmospheric samples in numerous cities are monitored around-the-clock for select agents. Filters from the sampling apparatus are analyzed by the CDC network for numerous biological threat agents. If any such agents were to be detected, mechanisms and protocols are in place for DHS, CDC, and EPA to reach crucial public health decisions rapidly, and promulgate a uniform course of action for local public health officials on the 'front lines.' This network was established very rapidly, and much work remains to take full advantage of it, but it is functioning today." October 30, 2003.

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Other Related SourceWatch Resources

• biotechnology
• bioterrorism
• Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
• Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• homeland security
• Project BioShield
• Project BioSense

External links

• Secret Sensors Scour Air for Bioterrorism, AP, July 21, 2003: "At secret locations in at least 31 cities, the government has deployed devices that scour the air for deadly agents like anthrax and smallpox, ... The sensors have been in place since early spring, and while the government won't say exactly where, regional health officials have confirmed that the list includes Philadelphia, New York, Washington, D.C., San Diego, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, and St. Louis."
• Homeland Security Officials Display Biowatch System, Nuclear Threat Initiative, November 17, 2003. Includes a number of links to announcements (October and November 2003) in local media.