He added that the department was testing the air for pollutants.

In addition, his department has been testing wireless communications.

The department has tested the system, which transfers some inspection duties to the meatpacking industry, at five packing plants.

He said the department would not test the workers or the water in the building.

The department also tests soil samples sent in by Connecticut businesses and residents.

Before the first case of the disease was detected, the department was testing fewer than 55 cattle a day.

The department tested 10,000 head of cattle over the last week, and all returned negative results.

More police departments are in talks to join them, or are testing systems from other vendors.

Until then, the department tested about 20,000 cattle a year for the disease, also known as bovine spongiform encephalopathy.

On West 42nd Street the department is testing a prototype, an imposing hulk of green metal with a dome cover.