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Biosecurity Briefing
DHS Issues Draft Impact Statement for National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility By Kunal Rambhia, June 27, 2008 On June 20, 2008, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for review and comment from the public.1,2 The purpose of the NBAF would be to replace the Plum Island Animal Disease Center in New York, which has been described as “an outdated physical structure” that is “too small” for current research needs.1 According to an Associated Press report on June 21, DHS anticipates that NBAF research would initially focus on African swine fever, classical swine fever, contagious bovine pleuropneumonia, foot and mouth disease, Japanese encephalitis, and Rift Valley fever (in BSL-3 facilities within the NBAF) and Hendra and Nipah viruses (in BSL-4 facilities).3 There is currently no BSL-4 facility anywhere in the country that is dedicated to research on livestock. DHS is considering the possibility of re-building on the existing Plum Island site, as well as 5 other potential locations for the new facility:
The draft EIS considers the potential consequences of a pathogen escaping from the laboratory in each of the proposed locations. DHS estimates that an outbreak of foot and mouth disease near Manhattan, Kansas or San Antonio, Texas could lead to an economic loss of $4 billion.3 By comparison, DHS calculates that economic losses of $3.3 billion could be incurred should an outbreak occur near Athens, Georgia; Butner, North Carolina; or Flora, Mississippi. The estimated economic impact of an outbreak on Plum Island was calculated at $2.8 billion.2 In determining whether and where to build the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility, DHS notes that it will consider several factors:
The final draft of the EIS is expected to be delivered in late fall of 2008. If the decision is made to build a new facility, construction would begin in 2010 and would take approximately 4 years to complete.2 The NBAF draft EIS will be available online for a 60-day review period. DHS also intends to “host public meetings in the vicinity of each proposed site later this summer.”3 In related news, on June 22, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that new questions are emerging regarding the containment procedures at CDC’s BSL-4 laboratory. According to the article, staff at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) used duct tape to seal a laboratory room following a malfunction in a ventilation system that caused possible contamination of a hallway with the select agent bacteria Coxiella burnetii, which causes Q fever.4 Although blood tests verified that no workers were affected as a result of the malfunction, the duct tape was reportedly used as “an enhancement” according to Patrick Stockton, CDC safety and occupational health manager.4 CDC officials commented that the “lab is in full compliance with all rules” and “lab inspectors are fully aware of the duct tape.”4 Nevertheless, in response to criticism and as an added precaution, the door will be replaced with a self-sealing door. Construction will begin depending on status of the lab’s research. References
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