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Boston University Biolab Delayed

Boston University's Project Bioshield aims to enhance medical countermeasures against CBRN threats, having received substantial funding from the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Defense to establish a Level 4 bioterrorism lab in the densely populated South End/Roxbury neighborhood. Despite promises of job creation and community benefits, residents are concerned about safety, environmental justice, and the lab's appropriateness for the area. Legal challenges continue, leading to delays in the lab's opening, now expected in August 2009, pending environmental analysis.

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Boston University Biolab Delayed

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  1. Boston University Biolab Delayed • Project Bioshield Controversy

  2. Project BioShield • On July 21, 2004 President Bush signed into effdct • Provides new tools to improve medical countermeasures protecting Americans against a chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear (CBRN) attack.

  3. ...Project Bioshield • Boston University applied • Awarded funding from the National Institute of Health (via the Department of Defense) to build a Level 4 Bioterrorism Lab

  4. What is a BSL4? • There are four levels, level four is the highest • Most deadly pathogens (i.e. tularemia, ebola, anthrax)

  5. Problem- Supposed Location • Boston’s South End/Roxbury neighborhood • densely populated

  6. Which one does not belong? • http://www.ace-ej.org/BiolabWeb/Biolabdocs/WhichOneDoesNotBelong3-12-04.pdf

  7. BU claims... • will create jobs- temporary and permanent • More than 1,300 construction jobs will be generated. An anticipated 660 permanent jobs -- at all levels including: environmental services, lab technicians, scientists and administrative staff-- will be created to operate the facility. The laboratory will contribute $1.9 million in job training and housing linkage payments to the City of Boston. • lab is safe • Lab Specifications • http://www.biosquare.org/bldgspecs/bldgspecs.html • http://www.biosquare.org/siteplan/siteplan.html

  8. Community Doesn’t Buy It • BU has a bad track record • lab doesn’t belong in the area • worried about safety • environmental injustice • residents have filed lawsuits (BRA, BU, BMC) for violating MEPA

  9. Recent Development • State is reevaluating the lab • National Research Council of the National Academies deemed federal analysis conducted by the NIH a failure • http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/29/AR2007112902133.html

  10. Article: Opening of BU biolab delayed • lab was to be open this fall, 70% complete • still undergoing environmental analysis • legal cases have yet to be resolved • may not be open until August 2009

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