OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
National Homeland Security Research Center
Advancing Our Nation's Security
Through Science
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MISSION
The National Homeland Security Research Center (NHSRC) develops
and delivers reliable, responsive expertise and products based on
scientific research and evaluations of technology. Our expertise and
ADVANCING
OUR NATION'S
SECURITY
THROUGH
SCIENCE
products are widely used to prevent, prepare for,
and recover from public health and environmental
emergencies arising from terrorist threats and incidents.
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AUTHORITY
The Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response
Act (the Bioterrorism Act) of 2002, together with Homeland Security
Presidential Directives 7, 9, and 10, charge EPA with protecting
our nations critical water infrastructure; monitoring for chemical,
biological, and radiological terrorism threats
to public health and the environment; and
supporting decontamination efforts in the event
of an emergency.
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THE PROBLEMS
WE FACE
How do you prevent a chemical, biological,
or radiological attack? How do you
determine that an attack has occurred?
How do you contain contamination
and mitigate its impact? How do you
measure and communicate risk? How do
you decontaminate a contaminated area?
How do you dispose of contaminated
materials? A part of the EPAs Office of
Research and Development, NHSRC is
developing solutions to these and other
similar problems.
FINDING THE
SOLUTIONS
Research Solutions are found in research.
Guided by principles of quality assurance, our
research is peer reviewed by scientists, engineers,
and intelligence specialists. We are focusing on:
Rapid detection of contaminants
Containing the contaminants and reducing their effects
Cleaning up contaminated areas
Disposing of contaminated materials
« Assessing risk and communicating that risk to the public and
response personnel
Testing and evaluating technologies
Improving response capabilities
Stakeholders NHSRC's research includes consulting with
stakeholdersutility operators, building owners and managers,
emergency responders, state and municipal governments, other federal
departments and agencies, and the general public. Finding solutions
means knowing what our stakeholders actually need.
Products A goal of our research is to create products for our
stakeholders. For example, we have developed an online decision
support tool that provides guidance for disposing of residues from the
cleanup of contaminated buildings and water systems. Other products
include analytical methods, computer models, and databases.
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SECURITY THROUGH RESEARCH:
CLOSING THE KNOWLEDGE GAP
To protect the general public, we need
a better understanding of how to assess
the risks to human health from chemical,
biological, and radiological contaminants.
We know that there are many
contaminants that could pose threats to
the public. It can take many years to fully
determine the risk to human health from
these contaminants. By combining sound
science and the dedication of experienced
researchers, NHSRC is developing methods
to rapidly assess risk. These methods
will yield fast and reliable answers in
emergency situations.
Methods and equipment for quickly
and accurately detecting contaminant
threats are under development. NHSRC
is devising creative, innovative tactics
for containing dangerous contaminants.
Testing and evaluation of numerous
decontamination methods is underway.
This analysis will assist in the selection of
safe and cost effective decontamination
approaches.
Training sessions keep NHSRC's researchers up to date on all the latest advances in scientific methods and technologies.
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NHSRC RI-SI-ARCH PROGRAM DliVI .OPM NT
Research and development begins with
determining what kind of research is
actually needed. Of course, our first
concern is homeland security. As part of
that concern, we are looking for ways to
safeguard the environment in case of a
terrorist attack that could harm our water
or our indoor and outdoor environments.
Our concern includes chemical,
biological, and radiological contaminants
and their effects on human health.
Working to identify gaps in our knowledge
about these contaminants helps us define
our research focus. With this focus, we
are able to develop potential research
programs and identify key stakeholders.
All of this information helps us decide
what kind of research is needed and helps
us develop research plans.
The EPA and Homeland Security:
Common Ground and Research Needs
Protecting Environments
Water + Indoor + Outdoor
Dealing with Contaminants
Chemical + Biological + Radiological
Concerns
Effects on Human Health
Research
Contaminant Detection
Containment and Mitigation
Decontamination
Disposal
Risk Assessment and Communication
Testing and Evaluation
Improving Response Capabilities
V
Stakeholders
Emergency Responders
National Decon Team
Public Health and Analytical Labs
Water Utilities
Emergency Planners
Architects and Building Designers
EPA's Program Offices and Regions
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NHSRC's RESEARCH P R I O R I T I Z AT I O N PROCESS
Threat Scenario We follow two paths
to find out what kind of research is needed
and how to prioritize that research. One
path is the threat scenario path. A threat
scenario is a possible sequence of events
that make up a terrorist attack. When we
develop a threat scenario, we consider a
specific type of attack in a specific situation.
As a result, we must evaluate thousands of
possible combinations of facility types and
methods and means of attack. The priority
scenarios are those that are considered
more likely to happen than others or that
are more likely to cause widespread or
significant harm.
Once the priorities are determined,
we do a knowledge gap analysis. This
means we look at our ability to detect a
problem, contain the contamination, and
decontaminate the environment. We then
focus our research on expanding our ability
to rapidly and effectively respond to an
attack. The research then goes through
a peer review; that is, it is evaluated by
experts who do the same type of research.
Best Scientific Judgment The other
path relies on best scientific judgment.
Following this path, we go directly to the
stakeholders. Engineers, scientists, and
other practitioners who would be directly
affected by a threat or attack tell us about
their research and technology needs.
The results of both paths are finally
aligned and used to identify NHSRC
research priorities.
Threat Scenario Development
J,
Threat Scenario Analysis
Priority Threat Scenarios
Knowledge Gap Analysis
Peer Reviews
4,
Research Needs
Best Scientific Judgment
Jx
Stakeholder Reviews
Jy
Peer Reviews
Jx
Research Needs
NHSRC's Research Priorities
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Collaboration with many other organizations is
vital to NHSRC's ability to achieve its goals.
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PRIORITIES AND RESOURCES
Our Priorities The staff of NHSRC
recognizes that securing our nation's
infrastructure in the face of threats and
attacks is a critical part of EPA's mission.
Because security-related research is an
urgent priority, results are often expected
within a short time frame. NHSRC's
highly skilled and experienced staff
began producing results within the first
months of the organization's formation
in September 2002.
NHSRC research and development
focuses on seven areas:
1. Rapid detection of contaminants
2. Containing the contaminants and
reducing their effects
3. Cleaning up contaminated areas
4. Disposing of contaminated materials
5. Assessing risk and communicating
that risk to the public and
emergency responders
6. Testing and evaluating technologies
7. Improving response capabilities
The Stakeholder as a Resource
We work to ensure security by conducting
reliable, proactive, and responsive scientific
research and by providing expertise to our
stakeholders. The stakeholders, in turn,
provide us with continual feedback on the
value and utility of our work. We adjust or
adapt our research programs on the basis
of the feedback we receive. In doing so,
we create lasting partnerships that
advance the quality, relevance, and impact
of our research.
Other Resources NHSRC improves
its efforts by combining unique talents
both inside and outside EPA to develop
usable solutions to increasingly complex
interdisciplinary challenges.
We actively collaborate with many
organizations to garner the critical advice
and necessary input that make these
creative solutions possible.
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Biological
contamination
By testing sensors and determining minimum detection
levels, NHSRC's research is helping to establish crucial
detection limits for all contaminant types.
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RAPID, RELIABLE CONTAMINANT DETECTION
The ability to respond quickly to
contamination events requires rapid
detection and identification of chemical,
biological, and radiological contaminants.
NHSRC's research makes
possible this rapid detection
and identification.
NHSRC is advancing security through:
Testing and evaluating commercially available detection technologies
Developing and testing drinking water contaminant warning systems
Developing real-time chemical and biological agent monitoring
Evaluating health surveillance networks that
may help to identify symptoms related to
contamination of water
« Modeling threats to water distribution systems
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Computer models can simulate the transport and fate of both airborne and waterborne contaminants. The models' results .
to provide guidance on how best to contain contaminants and mitigate their effects.
NHSRC researchers
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CONTAINMENT AND IMPACT MITIGATION
Containment and mitigation research
identifies and develops the best available
technologies and procedures for limiting
a contaminant's reach. To protect
decontamination crews, the general
public, and the environment, these
technologies and procedures must be
appropriate for use within buildings,
as well as in outdoor areas.
I
Dispersion of an airborne
contaminant in an office.
NHSRC is advancing security through:
Testing and evaluating air filtration systems
« Developing emissions, transport, and fate
models for air releases
Designing and evaluating residential and
commercial building safe havens
Modeling contamination events in drinking
water distribution systems
Developing guidelines for:
o Managing contamination events
o Retrofitting buildings to increase protection from chemical or biological attack
o Determining the fate of biological, chemical, and radiological contaminants
in water
o Designing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems that minimize
contaminant spread
o Ensuring continued delivery of safe water
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Decontamination crews in the Hart Senate Office Building in 2001 (large photo above) and a training exercise participant (inset)
testing for contaminants.
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DECONTAMINATION AND T R I: AT M I: N T
Decontamination and treatment research
focuses on methods for safe and cost-
effective remediation and for restoration
of indoor and outdoor areas after
contamination.
Studies conducted with pilot-scale water
distribution systems such as this clear pipe
loop allow researchers to observe the behavior
of contaminants within the pipe system.
NHSRC is advancing security through:
Testing and evaluation of:
0 Commercial decontamination methods
0 Point-of-use treatment
Developing guidance documents for
building decontamination
« Conducting studies to optimize chemical decontamination methods
« Developing methods for decontaminating special materials
Performing engineering and economic analyses of decontamination options
« Evaluating lessons learned from building decontamination experiences
Developing a resource document for decontaminating appliances that use water
Conducting inactivation studies for biological contaminants in water
Determining the effectiveness of chlorine against bacterial agents in water
Producing a database of methods for treating drinking water
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A rotary kiln (large photo) is one of the thermal destruction options being tested for decontamination of building materials such as carpeting
(inset at left). The decontamination effectiveness of an autoclave (inset at upper right) is being tested for upholstered furniture.
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DISPOSAL OF CONTAMINATED MATERIALS
NHSRC is developing tools, techniques,
and technologies appropriate for the
safe removal, packaging, transport, and
disposal of contaminated materials and
decontamination waste following an
emergency. These materials could include
protective equipment, rinse water, and
both porous and nonporous materials.
A training exercise participant disposes of
contaminated material.
NHSRC is advancing security through:
Testing and evaluating technologies for treating wastewater and residuals
Conducting studies of thermal destruction of contaminant agents
Evaluating the safety of landfilling decontamination waste
Investigating migration of biological agents from landfills
Developing a guidance document for thermal treatment
of building decontamination residue
Constructing a Web-based disposal decision support
tool on potential landfill/thermal treatment facilities
for building and water system decontamination residue
Sponsoring and publishing proceedings from a disposal
workshop to identify disposal issues associated with
weapons of mass destruction
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Researchers are developing tools to aid in rapidly assessing risks and quickly communicating those risks to affected communities.
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RISK ASSIiSSMIilMT AND COMMUNICATION
Assessment and communication research
provides tools and expert guidance to help
decision makers prepare for and respond to
terrorist attacks.
The Emergency Consequence Assessment Tool
(ECAT) is designed to guide users through a
series of questions that will help them quickly
assess risks to human health.
NHSRC is advancing security through:
Identifying and using methods for concisely and accurately communicating
risk information
Constructing a computer tool for quickly assessing risks to human health
Developing acute, subchronic, and chronic exposure levels
for agents of concern
Expanding E-Plan, a comprehensive resource for local
"right to know" information
Constructing a database of chemical toxicity information
Establishing methodologies for assessing the risks from
biological agents to human health
Evaluating unique methods for predicting health and risk
information in the absence of contaminant-specific data
« Supporting development of chemical and biological cleanup levels for
air and water
Assessing exposure from various contaminant sources and pathways
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NHSRC supports emergency responders by participating in
simulation training exercises, offering contingency planning
tools, and providing laboratory support. The top inset photo
shows a participant being decontaminated by showering
during a training exercise.
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IMPROVING RliSPONSI CAPABILITIES
NHSRC is dedicated to ensuring that its
research products are used effectively by
our stakeholders. Analytical methods are
being compiled into a manual to be used
during a response. NHSRC also has City
of Cincinnati firefighters on staff to ensure
that our products are useful and meet
their needs. They in turn, disseminate
information on our products through their
own professional networks. We work with
the Office of Water to release products
through the Water Information
Sharing and Analysis Center
(Water ISAC).
NHSRC is advancing security through:
Expanding the nation's lab capability and capacity
0 Development of standard sampling and
analytical methods
0 Establishment of a network of laboratories
capable of analyzing chemical, biological, and
radiological agents in environmental samples
Transferring homeland security technology
and tools to stakeholders such as EPAs National
Decontamination Team and Environmental
Response Team, as well as local and state
emergency responders
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HIGH BAY FACILITIES
lv
H TRIANGLE PARK, NORTH CAROLINA
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina,
is home to one of EPA's high bay facilities.
NHSRC research at this location is
conducted in the facility's advanced aerosol
and combustion laboratories.
Diagram of large wind tunnel used
in aerosol studies.
Rotary kiln used
in combustion
studies.
Laser-Induced Breakdown
Spectrometry (LIBS) detection
device and samples.
An Open Path-Fourier
Transform Infrared
(OP-FTIR) detector
is being tested
as a real-time
sensor in large
building spaces.
Small aerosol
testing chamber.
Digita
captured data
(right) from
wind tunnel
aerosol studies
using heated,
breathing, adult-
sized manikins
(above).
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TEST AND EVALUATION FACILITY
CI N CIN N AT I / OHIO
The Test and Evaluation (T&E) Facility
is located in Cincinnati, Ohio. T&E is a
multipurpose, high-bay research facility.
Some experiments are performed under
laboratory conditions (bench-scale), while
others are conducted in large system
simulators or in the field (pilot-scale).
Clear pipe
loop water
distribution
system
simulator.
Examples of interior
pipe corrosion
and sediment
deposition, which
can inhibit
decontamination
efforts.
United States
Environmental
Protection Agen
Test & Evaluation Facility
ofthe A
Environmental Resear
Various sensors being tested
for their ability to detect
contaminants.
ni
"Once through" water
distribution system
simulator, with sampling
points (right).
1
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I rl'
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SELECTED EXTERNAL COLLABORATORS
EPA enters into collaborative relationships
to leverage resources to solve problems
facing multiple organizations. For example,
EPA has formed the Distribution System
Research Consortium (DSRC), comprised
of 14 partnering organizations. The
DSRC is an EPA-led national umbrella
organization made up of member federal
agencies and water organizations dedicated
to the advancement of science, technology,
and research to protect drinking water
distribution systems from terrorist attacks.
Other organizations NHSRC collaborates
with include:
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Central Intelligence Agency
Department of Agriculture
Department of Defense
Department of Energy
Department of Health and Human Services
Department of Homeland Security
Department of State
Department of Transportation
Food and Drug Administration
National Institute of Standards and Technology
National Academy of Sciences
National Counterterrorism Center
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
Office of Science and Technology Policy
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&EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Research and Development
National Homeland Security Research Center
Cincinnati, OH 45268
Official Business
Penalty for Private Use
$300
EPA/600/F-06/008
August 2006
vwwv.epa.gov
PRESORTED STANDARD
POSTAGE & FEES PAID
EPA
PERMIT NO. G-35
Recycled/Recyclable
Printed with vegetable-based ink on
paper that contains a minimum of
50% post-consumer fiber content
processed chlorine free
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