Safety

U.S. to activate bioterror alert monitors

Emergency Management Alert, January 28, 2003

The U.S. government is adapting environmental monitors throughout the country to detect bioterrorism, the Associated Press reports.

The system would retrofit many of the 4,000 existing Environmental Protection Agency monitoring stations with new filters to detect biological agents, Bush administration officials announced January 22. Results of the early warnings could be confirmed at a network of laboratories within 24 hours using DNA analysis. The air filter systems were created to measure pollutants and air quality.

The government intends the new system to work with existing patient surveillance systems that monitor symptoms of patients, looking for patterns of disease that may indicate a biological agent infecting many people at the same time.

The new Homeland Security Department is creating the new system. It will cost $1 million to upgrade each monitoring system and an additional $1 million per city, per year, to run it.

    Hospital Safety Center
  • Hospital Safety Center

    Improve compliance with hospital safety standards from The Joint Commission, OSHA, and other regulators with this...

  • Healthcare Life Safety Compliance

    Learn Life Safety Code tips and interpretations for healthcare facilities with this in-depth monthly resource.

  • Hospital Safety Connection

    Stay on top of hospital safety requirements and best practices with our free, fast-paced weekly update.

  • Administering Your OSHA Program

    This course will help an employee new to the role of OSHA safety officer. It gives an overview of OSHA requirements and...

  • Medical OSHA Manual Combo

    Get into compliance with Quality America's OSHA Safety Program Manual and stay in compliance with OSHA Watch Newsletter...

Most Popular

Related Articles