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RESUSPENSION OF BACILLUS ANTHRACIS SURROGATES ON UNDERGROUND SUBWAY SURFACES (REBOUNDS)
Citation:
Archer, J., A. Hook, J. Gilberry, R. Yaga, D. Aslett, A. Abdel-Hady, Michael Calfee, AND D. Bansleben. RESUSPENSION OF BACILLUS ANTHRACIS SURROGATES ON UNDERGROUND SUBWAY SURFACES (REBOUNDS) . 37th American Association for Aerosol Research (AAAR) Annual Conference, Portland,OR, October 14 - 18, 2019.
Impact/Purpose:
This poster presentation will provide the aerosol community (AAAR) with an update on the progress and results from the Resuspension of Bacillus anthracis Surrogates on Underground Subway Surfaces (REBOUNDS) study that EPA is conducting for DHS through an interagency agreement. This study is comparing deposition and subsequent resuspension of two potential biological surrogates, DNATrax and Btk, from representative subway surfaces under controlled conditions. It will provide the modeling and homeland security community important data regarding the fate and transport of biological agents and assist decision makers in choosing appropriate surrogates/simulants for biological materials in field tests.
Description:
An urban subway system is a logical target for the release of a biological agent. A typical subway platform at rush hour offers numerous confined targets, a train-driven mechanism for extended and rapid dissemination, and minimal security. Results from the UTR program suggest that particle resuspension from infrastructure and other fomites (objects or materials capable of infectious agent transfer) may contribute to the spread of contamination beyond the initial release site. Deposited material within the subway system may be reaerosolized by trains and/or human activity. Secondary contamination could be transferred to businesses, residences, airports, hospitals, and command and control centers, complicating response and remediation actions.