UTMB virus lab, South Texas nuclear plant are ready (lab near seawall)

[Lori Price CLG]

UTMB virus lab, South Texas nuclear plant are ready --Microbes have been destroyed at biosafety facility; complex's reactors will be shut down

Caretakers for sensitive biological and nuclear materials at facilities along the upper Texas coast say they are prepared for anything Hurricane Rita might bring their way.

The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston has one of a handful of certified U.S. labs handling the world's most infectious, lethal viruses, a biosafety-level 4 facility. The campus is less than a mile from the Galveston seawall.

The lab's director, Michael R. Holbrook, said workers have already destroyed lab cultures in which viruses were growing and will begin packing the lab up today, putting remaining viruses in sealed and locked freezers. Then, if Rita still threatens Thursday, the lab will be fumigated with formaldehyde.

<snip>

Gee, I Feel so much safer, already.

Lori Price

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. Ok stupid question

why do we have a Level Four biohazard facilty on a sea wall that sees Hurricaes more or less on a regular basis?

[LeahD]

2. Maybe those in charge are political appointees with no experience. n/t

[BrightKnight]

3. It makes sense to have it on the campus.

There are security and access issues that make this a good choice.

Galveston is hurricane resistant. The 17 foot seawall should be raised. The famous hurricane that destroyed Galveston left 8' of water in the city.

I am in favor of good jobs in Democratic areas. It sounds like they are dealing with the situation. They obviously have a contingency plan and they are executing it.

[aion]

4. Surely you are just being an elitist

Locking down the barn, locking down a few nasty microbes -- what's the difference?

;)