E.P.A. Report Finds Lag in Monitoring Attacks

The New York Times > Washington > E.P.A. Report Finds Lag in Monitoring Attacks: "The effort for quick detection of a biological attack in major cities is faltering because of shortcomings in the Environmental Protection Agency's management of the program, its inspector general said in a report released on Thursday.

Under the program, BioWatch, air monitors have been set up over the last three years in at least 30 metropolitan regions in an effort to detect within 36 hours the release of deadly pathogens like anthrax, smallpox or plague.

More than $200 million has been spent, including the cost of installing the monitors in cities like Boston, Chicago, Houston, New York, San Diego, San Francisco and Washington. [...]"