Why We Did This Report
We initiated this evaluation in response to a complaint submitted to the OIG Hotline. Our objective was to determine whether the chemical-sensing capability of the EPA’s Airborne Spectral Photometric Environmental Collection Technology, or ASPECT, aircraft is functioning as designed.
Summary of Findings
When ASPECT’s chemical sensing is functioning as designed, it can process and provide data to first responders in approximately five minutes. Currently, however, ASPECT’s chemical sensing requires manual analyses, which generally produce monitoring results in about one week. This delay hampers the functionality of ASPECT. Given the unpredictable nature of natural and manmade disasters and emergency incidents, we are alerting the EPA about the situation and recommending corrective action.
