Laboratory Information:
National Urban Security Technology Laboratory
201 Varick Street - 5th Floor
New York, NY 10014
Website: http://www.dhs.gov/st-nustl
Agency/Department: Dept. of Homeland Security
Region: Northeast
FLC Laboratory Representative:
Dr. Pamela Greenlaw
Phone: 212-620-3649
Fax: 212-620-3611
Email: pamela.greenlaw@dhs.gov
Background/History of the Laboratory:
The Manhattan
Project/Atomic Energy Commission (1942 –
1975)
Our laboratory traces its roots to the Manhattan
Project during and after World War II. In 1946, the Atomic
Energy Commission (AEC) was created. In 1947 the lab was
formed as the Medical Division of the AEC and, in 1949,
renamed the Health and Safety Division. The Division focused
on industrial hygiene, radiation protection and safety. In
1953 it became the Health and Safety Laboratory, or HASL.
Fallout from nuclear weapons tests became a major concern and
the lab's focus shifted to measurements and assessments
of fallout using a network of gummed film monitoring stations
and measurements of the radioactivity levels in various food
products. In the 1950's and 1960's, the worldwide
sampling network was expanded considerably to include soil
and water samples, air filter samples at the surface and in
the stratosphere, biological samples, and measurements of wet
and dry fallout.
The Energy
Research and Development Administration/US Department of
Energy (1975 – 2003)
HASL acquired a reputation as the world leader in
environmental radiation measurements. The HASL Procedures
Manual became the standard for environmental radiation
measurement techniques. In the 1960's, the lab began
taking measurements of radon in mines to assess the health
risks of miners. In the 1970's, the lab's worldwide
sampling programs were expanded to include non-nuclear
pollutants. When the Atomic Energy Commission was abolished
in 1975, the Health and Safety Laboratory became part of the
Energy Research and Development Administration. In 1977, the
Energy Research and Development Administration was absorbed
by the newly created US Department of Energy, and the Health
and Safety Laboratory changed its name to the Environmental
Measurements Laboratory (EML).
In the 1970s, the
lab performed extensive radiation transport and dosimetry
studies in and around nuclear facilities, and established the
Quality Assurance Program for environmental dosimeters and
radioanalytical measurements. The lab also did extensive dose
reconstructions for nuclear weapons tests, and studied radon
in homes. After the Three-Mile Island and Chernobyl
accidents, the lab took immediate measurements providing the
ability to accurately and comprehensively reconstruct the
environmental contamination resulting from these
incidents.
In 1997, the lab
underwent a major change of focus when it moved from the DOE
Office of Energy Research to the Office of Environmental
Management. EML's primary focus was to support
environmental monitoring, decommissioning, decontamination,
and remediation efforts. Cleanup efforts across the DOE
complex required a wide range of low-level radiation and
radioactivity assessments that were used in contaminant
characterization studies, remediation control guidance, final
status surveys, and long-term stewardship. EML served as an
interface between DOE and contractor staff on technical
issues that impact on remediation goals and strategies. This
included providing consultation on radiation survey planning,
data quality objectives, background levels of radionuclides,
radiation dose models, environmental transport, measurement
techniques, and data assessment. EML itself also performed
environmental measurements when independent expert
assessments were needed, as in the case of demonstration
surveys, comparability studies, continuous monitoring for
environmental safety and health impact, and retrospective
dosimetry studies. EML also continued its worldwide
monitoring network and the development of instruments in
support of non-proliferation activities.
The US
Department of Homeland Security (2003 - present)
In
2002, President Bush signed legislation to create the
Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In 2003, EML was
absorbed into the Department’s Science and Technology
Directorate. Initially, EML focused on applying its existing
subject matter expertise to support homeland security
activities that prevent, protect against, and respond to
radiological and nuclear events through research,
development, testing and evaluation. In 2009, to align and
more effectively contribute to the DHS mission to prevent and
deter terrorist attacks and protect against and respond to
threats and hazards to the Nation, the Laboratory conducted a
comprehensive Strategic Planning effort. As a result, the
Laboratory’s name was changed to the National Urban
Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL). Currently, the NUSTL
team is committed to providing a test and evaluation
capability for technologies and systems addressing the broad
range of homeland security threats. Additionally, NUSTL acts
as a trusted federal technical resource to the Tri-State
homeland security community, especially state/local First
Responders, for the accelerated delivery and successful
end-user deployment of technologies and
systems.
Mission of the Laboratory:
Mission
Statement: Test, evaluate and analyze Homeland Security
capabilities while serving as a technical authority to first
responder, state and local entities in protecting our
cities.
Mission
Description:
NUSTL serves as a
Federal technical authority promoting the successful
development and integration of homeland security technologies
into operational end-user environments by
objectively:
-
Conducting
test programs, pilots, demonstrations, and other forms of
evaluations of homeland security technologies both in the
field and in the lab
-
Applying
knowledge of operational end-user environments and support
for operational integration (including training; exercises;
and, equipment, tactics, techniques and procedures) to
technology development
-
Representing
interests and requirements between technology developers and
operational end-users
-
Supporting
development and use of homeland security equipment and
operational standards
NUSTL leverages its
strategic location in New York City to serve Tri-State first
responders as well as the homeland security community
nationwide.
Facilities:
Offices,
laboratory work space, roof top experiment space, vehicles,
loading dock and parking bay in Manhattan.
Technology Transfer Mechanisms:
- NUSTL's strategic location in New York City allows us to serve Tri-State first responders, as well as the homeland security community nationwide. Our broad ranging relationships with the region's homeland security community enable the use of the New York
- At NUSTL, we work to bridge the gap between the technology development community and the end-user operators. By addressing end-user needs and directly supporting technology operators in the field, we have developed relationships and partnerships that prom
Technology Areas of Expertise:
- Assessment of First Responder equipment
- First Responder application of technologies
- Radiological and nuclear detection
- Test design and conduct
