Case Studies

Brooklyn, NY

The Issue: Anthrax Contamination

The Solution: Decontamination with ClO₂ Gas

Background

In February of 2006, a New York City man was hospitalized with a case of inhalational anthrax he contracted while handling animal skins imported from the west coast of Africa. Although his anthrax exposure was unrelated to any act of terrorism, it was nonetheless decided by USEPA that his heavily contaminated van, as well as many of his personal effects, including both items of clothing and artifacts, should be fumigated with ClO₂ gas to ensure they posed no residual health risk to him or his family upon their return.

Sabre mobilized a team of scientists and fumigation technicians within a matter of days to a police vehicle impound yard in Brooklyn, NY where fumigation operations had been designated by USEPA to take place. The team brought with them all required equipment and supplies to fumigate the van and personal effects with ClO₂ gas.

Upon arrival at the site with its fully contained mobile fumigation chamber and laboratory analysis units, Sabre immediately began making preparations to treat the designated items. A project-specific Remedial Action Plan (RAP), Sampling and Analysis Plan (SAP) and Health and Safety plan (HASP) were quickly drafted and submitted to USEPA personnel for review and comment. The plans specified that both the van and the personal effects would be treated to a "sterilization standard" since all items were to be returned to their owner post treatment.

Concurrent with the drafting and review of project-specific documents, a specialized fumigation tent was erected at the impound yard site to contain the van and personal effects during treatment. Specialized ClO₂ generation and distribution equipment was also put into place outside and inside the tent, after which time all system components were thoroughly tested and found to be operating as planned.

Upon receiving approval of the RAP, SAP and HASP from USEPA, Sabre immediately fumigated the van and personal effects in accordance with all Plan documents on two consecutive 16-hour days of treatment. The entire ClO₂ fumigation operation, including demobilization from the impound yard site, was completed in a period of less than one week following Sabre's initial arrival at the site.

Independent laboratory analyses of samples collected following the fumigation operation demonstrated that both the van and personal effects had indeed been treated to a sterilization standard by the ClO₂ fumigation process. As such, all items were returned to their owner shortly thereafter.