Quote:Newkirk, OK – The Department of Homeland Security plans to conduct chemical and biological testing near the border between Kansas and Oklahoma in January and February, and again in June and July, to determine how much protection people would receive from being inside a house or an apartment in the event of a biological terrorist attack, according to a statement on the Homeland Security website.

The DHS press release notes:

Quote:The study is part of the Department’s ongoing commitment to preparedness and the shared responsibility of protecting the nation’s critical infrastructure. The purpose of this study is to gather data that enhances our predictive capabilities in the event of a biological agent attack.  Specifically, this work will help in predicting the extent to which an intentional release of a biological agent may penetrate single family and multi-family structures. These tests will release inert chemicals and biological materials that will be used to measure the amount of material that penetrates the buildings under varied conditions.

The environmental assessment of the proposed “low level outdoor release” of inert chemical and biological simulant materials states that low concentrations of particles will be released at two buildings on the now-abandoned Chilocco campus.

According to a report by the Wichita Eagle:

Quote:For the particle test, the federal government plans to release titanium dioxide, which it describes as a “white odorless powder that is chemically insoluble in water, nonreactive, nonflammable, and nonhazardous.” It also plans to release urea powder mixed with a CL Fluorescent Brightener.
 
For the biological portion of the test, it plans to release genetic barcoded spores of a biological insecticide known as native Btk, which is sold under the trade name of Dipel. Dipel is not considered a hazard by the Environmental Protection Agency when handled appropriately, according to the assessment.

Of course, the EPA has been caught colluding with major agro-chemical companies and lying to Congress—so they shouldn’t likely be taken at their word.
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Interestingly, while the U.S. government claims the chemicals used in the testing won’t adversely impact human health or the environment, the EU has proposed to classify titanium dioxide as a carcinogen—meaning that it is [url=https://echa.europa.eu/-/titanium-dioxide-proposed-to-be-classified-as-suspected-of-causing-cancer-when-inhaled]suspected of causing cancer – specifically when inhaled.

Kansas Congressman Ron Estes, in response to the planned chemical and biological testing, said federal agencies, “need to be 100 percent certain this test is safe for the residents of south-central Kansas,” noting that he has “numerous questions.”

(12-21-2017, 07:03 PM)Mystic Wanderer Wrote: How will they know if it creeps through cracks and makes people sick?

Quote:Do you trust Homeland Security?   Do you?

(12-22-2017, 12:57 PM)Grace Wrote: I don't trust the government perse, but I don't see a reason not to allow technologies go forward that can also help us be better protected from our nation's enemies.