HOMELAND SECURITY RESEARCH AT EPA

Abstract

A MULTITUDE OF FEDERAL agencies conduct research related to homeland security, to the tune of billions of dollars per year. These agencies include the Department of Homeland Security as well as the Departments of Defense, Health & Human Services, Justice, Energy, Agriculture, and Transportation. Investigations run the gamut from development of sensors for detecting illicit nuclear materials in commerce to cybersecurity. A smaller but key player in federal homeland security research is the Environmental Protection Agency. EPA scientists work to protect the water systems that provide most Americans with safe drinking water. Because EPA is the federal agency that deals with chemical and microbial contamination, its homeland security investigations also focus on cleaning up after a terrorist attack. The agency has a raft of other research efforts, including expansion of analytical laboratory capabilities and working with first responders, including fire fighters. EPA's homeland security research began as a te...