LLNL supports test of NYC subway biodefenses

Lawrence Livermore National Lab (LLNL) researchers took to the New York City subway system last month to aid in conducting a series of tests on how a biological agent, such as anthrax, might disperse throughout the rapid transit system as a result of a bioterrorism attack or accidental release.

“The goal is to come up with an operational strategy that allows a rapid return to service for underground transportation systems,” Ellen Raber, associate program manager for LLNL, said. “The transport models being developed will be better informed and we will have predetermined locations in New York where you can quickly optimize sampling locations to understand the extent of contamination. The models will hopefully allow for a better approach to a phased system recovery and limit the time that the whole system would be shut down.”

The test is part of a multi-agency effort sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate, led by MIT Lincoln Laboratory with assistance from Argonne National Laboratory. An LLNL field team supervised the release of a harmless DNA-infused aerosol in Grand Central Terminal and two other major subway hubs in the city. Particle samples were collected for further study after the dispersal.

The substance used for the tests is called DNATrax, a sugar-based dispersant combined with a small amount of synthetic DNA. It was originally developed at LLNL for the evaluation of biological detectors and has since been licensed to a company that uses it for food labeling purposes. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified the substance as safe.