November 7, 2001—A recent article in the American Institute of Architects Angle reports that buildings designed to reduce energy costs and circulate filtered air to avoid “sick-building syndrome,” have fortuitously helped to prepare our nations buildings from chemical and biological attacks. These air quality systems can be further improved by maintaining a higher air pressure inside buildings. This positive pressure reduces the risk of toxins from entering a building from the outside and the filters help to prevent contaminants released within a building from spreading to other portions of the facility.
While these technological advances cant protect against all terrorist attacks, says AIA, they clearly are a good step in biochemical risk reduction. For more information on this issue, contact the AIAs Tara Butler, at 202-626-7443.
