Homeland Security to gas T Commuters

DHS announces:

The study will involve the release of common, harmless tracer gases used for indoor and outdoor air testing; an inert particle tracer tagged with a biologically inert, non-toxic organic dye used in medical imaging applications; and a common optical brightener often used in laundry detergents and paper manufacturing. The study will help scientists understand the airflow characteristics for smoke or unintentional spills of chemicals or fuels—providing data that will help guide the design of next generation detection systems and enable transportation systems to strengthen evacuation, ventilation and other incident response strategies.

Particle and gas concentrations will be sampled in more than 20 stations and in subway cars in the underground portion of the MBTA subway system from Dec. 5-11. Although commuters may notice the presence of equipment and researchers, the study will not disrupt normal activities or inconvenience the public.

One would think that the US Government would learn from the nearly half century of paranoia inspired by the 1966 Army experiment in NY.

I wonder if my boss will understand my desire to take the week off.