Scientists simulate terror attack on Boston subway

BOSTON (AP) — Scientists plan to release nontoxic gases and particles into Boston’s subway tunnels to study how they could spread through the nation’s oldest subway system in a terror attack.

Federal officials are trying to find ways to quickly minimize the impact of an airborne assault on the nation’s 15 subway systems.

Officials say the airflow tests starting today will help protect the nation’s infrastructure. U.S. subway systems include 810 miles of track in tunnels.

The U.S. is still wrestling with how to combat terrorist threats to its subways nearly nine years after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

Authorities thwarted an al-Qaida-sponsored plot to attack New York City subways last September.