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EPA awaits results in latest anthrax cleanup

SUMMARY:

The Environmental Protection Agency has completed the latest anthrax cleanup in the Hart Senate Office Building. Test results, expected later in the week, will determine whether the attempt was successful. Meanwhile, the airline industry eyes new technology in an attempt to make the skies safer.

UPDATE:

A fumigation effort involving chlorine dioxide gas began Friday at the Hart building and lasted through the weekend. The work took longer than expected due to problems with humidity levels in the building, according to the EPA. Higher levels are required for the chemical to work effectively. "Scrubbing," a process involving the removal of the gas from the ventilation system, followed the fumigation attempt. (Full story)

Random X-rays of airline passengers' shoes are the first response of the aviation industry to the new threat that passengers could be carrying explosives on their bodies.

Other technology involves walk-through detectors that blow air onto passengers and can dislodge trace amounts of explosives, trapping them for a chemical analysis. Developers say it is 99 percent accurate. (Full story)

• Summary   • Update   • Key questions   • Who's who   • Victims   • Impact

REMEMBERING THE VICTIMS   •  Emergency information   •  Partial list of victims   •  Victims story archives

CNN.COM SPECIAL REPORT  CNN NewsPass Video  Agencies reportedly got hijack tips in 1998  MORE STORIES Intelligence intercept led to Buffalo suspects Report cites warnings before 9/11  EXTRA INFORMATION Timeline: Who Knew What and When? Interactive: Terror Investigation Terror Warnings System Most wanted terrorists What looks suspicious? In-Depth: America Remembers In-Depth: Terror on Tape In-Depth: How prepared is your city?  RESOURCES On the Scene: Barbara Starr: Al Qaeda hunt expands? On the Scene: Peter Bergen: Getting al Qaeda to talk

KEY QUESTIONS:

What effect will the delay in passing an economic stimulus bill have on the economy?

Should the federal government issue national security alerts in response to undisclosed, vague threats?

Are U.S. intelligence agencies better equipped to detect and prevent future homeland terrorist attacks?

What is the government doing to fortify homeland defense? Click here for more

What are tips to know in the wake of the attacks? Click here for more

WHO'S WHO:

George W. Bush: U.S. president Click here for more.

Laura Bush: First lady of the United States, she has become more visible since the terrorist attacks, making public appearances urging parents and teachers to help reassure children that everything is being done to try to keep them safe. Click here for more

Tom Ridge: Director of the U.S. Office of Homeland Security, a new Cabinet-level position Click here for more

Richard Clarke: Head of efforts to safeguard information systems for the Office of Homeland Security Click here for more

Wayne Downing: Retired Army general tapped as deputy national security adviser Click here for more

Joe Allbaugh:The chief of the Federal Emergency Management Agency Click here for more

Dr. David Satcher: Surgeon General of the United States

Dr. Jeffrey P. Koplan: Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Click here for more

Rudy Giuliani: Mayor of New York Click here for more

Michael Bloomberg: Mayor-elect of New York

Anthony A. Williams: Mayor of Washington

Dr. Ivan Walks: Director of the Department of Health for the District of Columbia

Paul O'Neill: Treasury secretary

Norman Y. Mineta:Transportation secretary

Jane Garvey: FAA administrator

VICTIMS:

The latest figures provided by federal and local officials give the following numbers of people dead or missing from the September 11 attacks:

WORLD TRADE CENTER: According to New York City officials, the estimated number of dead -- including the 157 on the two hijacked planes -- is 2,937: 593 confirmed dead; 380 missing with no death certificates issued; and 1,964 death certificates issued for victims whose remains have not yet been identified. The initial death estimate was as many as 6,500 people but the number has shrunk for several reasons, including elimination of duplicate reports.

PENTAGON: 64 dead on hijacked plane; another 125 missing and presumed dead

PENNSYLVANIA: 44 confirmed dead on hijacked plane

IMPACT:

The attacks of September 11 have sparked new debate about balancing the protection of U.S. citizens with the protection of the civil rights of those suspected of terrorism.

While the United States is proud of the freedoms and the legal rights guaranteed by the Constitution, authorities and many citizens have argued those people who seek to destroy America do not deserve such protections while they represent an ongoing threat to the country. Others argue that it is those very freedoms which the terrorists seek to curtail, and that to limit individual rights provides them with a victory.

While those arguments continue, so do the threats against U.S. interests. Security remains high at airports, certain industries and many government facilities.