-Caveat Lector- http://www.newsok.com/cgi-bin/show_article?ID=1003274 &pic=none&TP=getarticle Bioterrorism tests begin near Goldsby
2003-03-25 By Nick Trougakos The Oklahoman GOLDSBY -- A crop duster sprayed polyethylene glycol into the sky over a field near Goldsby on Monday as the U.S. Army started its Multi- Mission Sensor Test, a bioterrorism drill. •Bioterrorism test info The Army conducted about 20 releases of polyethylene glycol, which is a thick liquid used in lotions and eye makeup. The first drop was shortly after 2 p.m., Army public affairs specialist Mark Hughes said. The tests were to start shortly after noon but were delayed because of a minor mechanical problem, Army officials said. Tests were wrapped up about 6 p.m. Crop dusters will make 261 drops of powdered clay, grain alcohol and polyethylene glycol over about three weeks to test whether the Oklahoma City area's radar systems can detect the substances, which were chosen because their physical characteristics similar materials that could be used in a biological or chemical terrorist attack. The Army hopes to establish an "umbrella" of radars, installing computer software at more than 150 radar stations across the country. The goal is to create a system of early detection and warning that could alert authorities to the presence of a terrorist threat. Radars from the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Weather Service, as well as several commercial radars, will be put to the test. "It's extremely important to our homeland security in the coming years," Goldsby Mayor Glenn Berglan said of the tests. Berglan said public concern over the tests -- fueled by fear of allergic reactions to the materials to be dispersed -- has died down since powdered egg whites and an inactive pesticide were removed from the list. Army Col. Chris Parker said the tests will go on regardless of developments in Iraq. "If anything, with the war, people are even more aware that this is a critical thing that the nation needs to do," he said. "I think they're even more supportive." Robert Lyons, with the Army's nuclear, biological and chemical detection program, said similar tests carried out in Maryland and Utah were designed to advance capabilities of military radars. He said the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks changed the focus of the tests. "After 9/11, we were asked if we could transfer our work into homeland defense," he said. The Army conducted tests in April in Key West, Fla., dropping the same substances used in the Oklahoma tests, with no adverse effects. Each of the three test substances will be dropped 78 times, Lyons said. An additional 27 "blind trials" will be conducted, where radar operators will know a crop duster has gone up, but won't be told if a substance was dropped. Lyons called these blind trials "the critical ones." The tests, delayed from the original start date of Feb. 24 in response to the allergy concerns, will be at three rural locations: near Goldsby, Mustang and the Canadian River near Interstate 44. Monday's tests were held at the Goldsby location and did not include powdered clay or grain alcohol. Archives: More information on this topic from The Oklahoman. Subscribe to The Oklahoman. Contact: NEWS 9 | The Oklahoman | NewsOK.com | Privacy Policy | Site Map | FAQ's © 2003, Produced by NewsOK Forwarded for your information. The text and intent of the article have to stand on their own merits. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without charge or profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this type of information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe simply because it has been handed down for many genera- tions. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumoured by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is written in Holy Scriptures. 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