There are significant efforts throughout the government to develop and implement homeland security systems. EPA needs improved technologies that detect acts of terrorism, contain and respond to the problem and protect the American people and the environment. This topic includes three subtopics: (1) Decontamination; (2) Drinking Water and Wastewater Security; and (3) Emergency Response.

DECONTAMINATION

One of EPA’s goals following the events of September 11, 2001 is to evaluate, characterize and develop tools that can be used to decontaminate and manage hazardous chemical and biological materials purposefully introduced into buildings and outdoor spaces. Needs include, but are not limited to:

• Biological and chemical decontamination systems that can be applied safely, effectively and quickly at reasonable cost to fully remediate enclosed, semi-enclosed or outdoor facilities (commercial, private or governmental owned), structures, vehicles and other critical infrastructure and equipment. Such methods would need to address decontamination of common indoor and/or outdoor environmental surfaces. Important considerations, in addition to efficacy of decontamination, are materials compatibility, cost, safety, availability, ease of use, expendable supply needs and associated disposal requirements.
• Safe, efficient and cost-effective treatment and disposal methods for biological and/or chemical contaminated waste material.

DRINKING WATER AND WASTEWATER SECURITY

This research may address either physical or cyber threats potentially resulting in disablement and disruption in services provided by various-sized drinking water and wastewater systems. Technologies, equipment, and other tools are needed to detect, measure, monitor and warn of the presence of chemical and biological contaminants, contain and treat source and contaminated water, minimize cross connections between drinking water and wastewater systems, and decontaminate water distribution system equipment. These technologies could be used by drinking water and wastewater utility operators, emergency response personnel and other decision officials. Classes of contaminants of concern include: biological organisms (e.g., spores, viruses, bacteria); biotoxins and chemicals (including pesticides, toxic industrial chemicals, chemical warfare agents, persistent, bioaccumulative toxins both metal-based (e.g., mercury) and organic-based (e.g., PCBs)). Ideally, research in this area should also benefit the larger context of safe water even under non-threat situations.

• Technologies for detecting, measuring and monitoring water and wastewater for the presence of chemical, biological and radiological contaminants that could be introduced pre- or post- treatment. These technologies include hand-held, in-line or slip stream devices that can provide a result in near-real-time and that can be used as part of an early warning system. Research is also needed for improved equipment longevity and reliability under conditions relevant to drinking water or wastewater systems.
• Security systems and technologies including early warning “smart” systems which use detection devices and techniques in combination with computer-based software, to help drinking water and wastewater utility operators identify contaminants in water systems. Research is also needed on software or computer-driven planning tools to provide analysis and operational optimization when a portion of a water system becomes disabled or disrupted.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE

EPA needs better tools to respond to homeland security emergencies. Research is needed to develop improved test kits for detecting biological and chemical contaminants. Needs include, but are not limited to:

• Field test kits are needed to rapidly (10 min or less) collect and identify hazardous biological and chemical contaminants on indoor surfaces with very low rates of false positives/negatives. Kits should be sensitive to relevant health effects levels or other levels of concern, easy to use, relatively inexpensive ($200 or less) and stable during prolonged storage. EPA is interested in field kits for anthrax, smallpox, plague, ricin, botulism toxin and chemical contact poisons (e.g., highly toxic commercial pesticides).