This is the VOA SpecialEnglish Environment Report.

Workers in the United States have begun deploying a new system totest for biological weapons. The system, called Bio-Watch, wouldprovide early warning if smallpox, anthrax or other deadly organismsare released into the air.

Bush administration officials say new equipment will be put inmany of the three-thousand air quality measuring centers nationwide.These centers are operated by the Environmental Protection Agency tomeasure air pollution. The officials say reports of anything unusualwould lead to additional tests. They say results of the new earlywarning system would be confirmed within twenty-four hours.

Administration officials say the system could help save thousandsof people during a possible biological weapons attack. They say itwould give the government more time to treat attack victims andprotect others before it is too late.

Terrorism experts have warned that a small airplane could releaseanthrax or other germs over a crowd of people. Thousands of peoplecould become sick. Yet it could take days for the government todiscover what happened.

Officials say the early warning system is not linked to a newterrorist threat. They say the system was tested last year at theWinter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City.

If unusual organisms are discovered at the observation centers,the test results would be sent to a public health laboratory. TheCenters for Disease Control and Prevention operatesone-hundred-twenty of these laboratories. Laboratory scientistswould test the organisms using a method called polymerase chainreaction, or P-C-R. These tests examine the genetic structure of anorganism and quickly identify it. P-C-R tests are considered betterthan hand-held devices often used by emergency crews. Such devicesoften falsely report the presence of an organism.

American officials say the federal government will payone-million dollars to improve the equipment at the air qualitycenters. Officials expect the new system will cost one-milliondollars each year to operate in each city.

Officials say the system would not be able to identify biologicalagents released in closed areas or the spread of such organismsthrough the mail. The new Bio-Watch system began operating in NewYork City recently. It will expand across the nation.

This VOA Special English Environment Report was written by GeorgeGrow.