The U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will begin testing Oklahoma's operational radar systems Feb. 24 around Goldsby and Washington.
The operational radar systems, which include the National Weather Service and Department of Defense radars, could be the key to early detection of chemical and biological warfare, according to officials from the EPA and Department of Defense.
During an open house Friday at Max Westheimer Airpark, Karen Baker, Army spokeswoman for the Department of Defense, said the testing was important research for the war against terrorism.
"We are doing the testing so that we can determine if we can use the system as early detection for bioterrorism for homeland security," she said.
Test pilots will use crop-dusting equipment to release materials such as powdered egg whites, clay dust, ethanol (grain alcohol) and polyethylene (plastic) to simulate the release of a chemical or biological threat.
"The test is a sensor test," Baker said. "We will use the radar to try and track certain stimulants in the air. If the system works, it will be useful in the event of a chemical or biochemical act."
The materials selected to represent the chemical and biological threats have been chosen because they pose no threat to human health or the environment, according to a handout from the EPA.
Steven Sloan, presidential professor of political science, said the testing in Goldsby will be important to OU.
"Goldsby is located close to OU," he said. "There is a number of concerns about potential terrorism threats at big university sporting events. The testing is one more method to attempt to identify and deal with an event before it occurs."
Sloan, who specializes in the study of terrorism, said he understands the concerns of citizens, but they need to accept the reality that there are new threats such as biological and chemical terrorism.
Sloan said that while at one time terrorist groups didn't focus on mass casualties, today they do.
"Now terrorist groups do not care about public opinion," he said. "They have the desire and capability to disperse biological and chemical agents."
Mark Thomas, on-scene coordinator for the EPA, said many citizens have expressed concerns about the testing.
"We're trying to combat terrorism," Thomas said. "This produces a higher degree of interest and concern for citizens."
Thomas said the testing isn't meant to cause problems.
"If there's a possible way we can interdict an event from happening, we need to do that," he said. "That's why we have to go out and do these tests."
Goldsby resident Lafa Johnson said she is concerned that the testing will cause problems for her 2-year-old son, Marshall, who has asthma.
"They don't know how the testing will affect people," she said. "They have never done these kinds of tests before. We are like their guinea pigs."
Johnson said her son has shown concern about the planes that are going to fly over their house.
"We were watching TV, and Marshall saw the planes and heard the word 'Goldsby' and asked me what they were going to do to where he lives," Johnson said.
The testing will last about two weeks, and the materials will be released in small amounts over given distances.
"The testing will be done by linear discharge," Thomas said. "Material will be released every 20 seconds, and approximately 30 releases will be made per day."
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