Studying Ways To Combat Potential Threats

The next time you're on a commercial airline flight... take a deep breath. OK, don't... we understand, as the air on most planes is something... ah, less than fresh.

But scientists taking part in a study at Kansas State University are looking at ways to change that... while also finding ways to combat potential threats to the cabin environment. Those include accident contamination, such as a global flu pandemic... as well as deliberate contamination by terrorists using biological agencts like anthrax.

"Although the science is similar with both of these missions, the application is different," KSU engineering professor Byron Jones said. "Our job is to protect the environment as best we can -- detect, protect and clean up after it. Whether an air incident is deliberate or accidental, the idea is the same and both are important."

Scientists from Auburn, Purdue, Harvard and Boise State universities... the University of California-Berkeley... and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey are all taking part in the Air Transportation Center for Airline Cabin Environment Research. That's an impressive list... and all are committed to keeping air travel healthy, in the most economical ways possible.

"How do you deal with an intentional attack if the attack is invisible -- that is, what if somebody is releasing something into the cabin environment that cannot be seen -- how can we even detect it? This is one of the things we're looking at," Jones said.

To date, the center has received approximately $10 million in funding to date through the Federal Aviation Administration. After three years, the center will be reviewed and its work assessed.

FMI: www.k-state-edu