Fri, Aug 18, 2006
Studying Ways To Combat Potential Threats
The next time you're on
a commercial airline flight... take a deep breath. OK, don't... we
understand, as the air on most planes is something... ah, less than
fresh.
But scientists taking part in a study at Kansas State University
are looking at ways to change that... while also finding ways to
combat potential threats to the cabin environment. Those include
accident contamination, such as a global flu pandemic... as well as
deliberate contamination by terrorists using biological agencts
like anthrax.
"Although the science is similar with both of these missions,
the application is different," KSU engineering professor Byron
Jones said. "Our job is to protect the environment as best we can
-- detect, protect and clean up after it. Whether an air incident
is deliberate or accidental, the idea is the same and both are
important."
Scientists from Auburn, Purdue, Harvard and Boise State
universities... the University of California-Berkeley... and the
University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey are all taking
part in the Air Transportation Center for Airline Cabin Environment
Research. That's an impressive list... and all are committed to
keeping air travel healthy, in the most economical ways
possible.
"How do you deal with an intentional attack if the attack is
invisible -- that is, what if somebody is releasing something into
the cabin environment that cannot be seen -- how can we even detect
it? This is one of the things we're looking at," Jones said.
To date, the center has received approximately $10 million in
funding to date through the Federal Aviation Administration. After
three years, the center will be reviewed and its work assessed.
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