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POSTED: 7:01 AM EST February 3, 2004
UPDATED: 8:16 AM EST February 3, 2004
WALLINGFORD, Conn. -- Forensic scientists are working to determine the identity of a suspicious powder found in a letter that was addressed to the Republican National Committee in Washington, D. C. , at the Wallingford postal facility.
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A police representative said that an employee discovered the white powder, triggering a response from state HAZMAT teams, postal inspectors and environmental officials, NBC 30's Shawn Phillips reported. The powder was discovered about 10:30 p. m. Monday.
"That's enough to trigger our precautionary protocol," Wallingford Lt. Glen King said. "The worker found it and deemed the letter to be suspicious. Obviously the letter was isolated. "
NBC 30 learned that two employees were quarantined inside the building for a time. However, according to officials on the scene, the employees were later released and no other postal employees have needed to get medical treatment.
Preliminary test results on the Wallingford sample were inconclusive and officials took the powder to the state Department of Public Health laboratory in Hartford for further testing. The results were expected late Tuesday morning.
"It could potentially a hoax. There's really no explanation I can think of for a grayish powder to be in that kind of an envelope," said Hal Stephens, a supervisor for the U. S. Postal Inspection Service in Connecticut.
State environmental officials said that they've cleared the scene and that they do not believe there is an environmental risk at the facility.
Are You Worried About Bioterrorism? Do you think bioterrorism is a real threat? Thanks for taking our survey. Check back later for updated results. Yes, it's only a matter of time. Yes, it's definitely possible. No, bioterrorism is too hard to accomplish. No, people are just overreacting.
Postal inspectors, local police and the state hazardous materials team reported to the scene. U. S. Postal Inspectors said that the grayish-white powder was in a business reply envelope that did not require postage. The Inspectors said that they are assuming, at this time, that the letter was mailed from somewhere in Connecticut.
The discovery of the powder comes a day after a suspicious white power that tested positive for ricin was found in Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist's office. King said that discovery and the anthrax contamination of 2001 combined to make officials extremely cautious.
The powder was apparently delivered to the Republican senator's office through the mail system. More definitive tests were expected later Tuesday.
The Wallingford facility is the same postal center at which investigators found anthrax spores in 2001. A 94-year-old Oxford, Conn. , woman, Ottilie Lundgren, died in 2001 after inhaling the bacteria. Investigators believe she got anthrax through mail that passed through the Wallingford sorting center.
For the latest news, stay tuned to NBC 30 Connecticut News and NBC30.com
POSTED: 7:01 AM EST February 3, 2004
UPDATED: 8:16 AM EST February 3, 2004
WALLINGFORD, Conn. -- Forensic scientists are working to determine the identity of a suspicious powder found in a letter that was addressed to the Republican National Committee in Washington, D. C. , at the Wallingford postal facility.
BIO THREAT
SLIDESHOW: Homeland Security Terror Tips
Homeland Security Page
Bioterrorism Threats
Preparing For Biochemical Attack
Preparing A Disaster Kit
GENERAL INFO
Preparing for Homeland Security
Smallpox Info From CDC
FAQs
CDC Info
Biodefense Resources From Johns Hopkins
Department Of Homeland Security
A police representative said that an employee discovered the white powder, triggering a response from state HAZMAT teams, postal inspectors and environmental officials, NBC 30's Shawn Phillips reported. The powder was discovered about 10:30 p. m. Monday.
"That's enough to trigger our precautionary protocol," Wallingford Lt. Glen King said. "The worker found it and deemed the letter to be suspicious. Obviously the letter was isolated. "
NBC 30 learned that two employees were quarantined inside the building for a time. However, according to officials on the scene, the employees were later released and no other postal employees have needed to get medical treatment.
Preliminary test results on the Wallingford sample were inconclusive and officials took the powder to the state Department of Public Health laboratory in Hartford for further testing. The results were expected late Tuesday morning.
"It could potentially a hoax. There's really no explanation I can think of for a grayish powder to be in that kind of an envelope," said Hal Stephens, a supervisor for the U. S. Postal Inspection Service in Connecticut.
State environmental officials said that they've cleared the scene and that they do not believe there is an environmental risk at the facility.
Are You Worried About Bioterrorism? Do you think bioterrorism is a real threat? Thanks for taking our survey. Check back later for updated results. Yes, it's only a matter of time. Yes, it's definitely possible. No, bioterrorism is too hard to accomplish. No, people are just overreacting.
Postal inspectors, local police and the state hazardous materials team reported to the scene. U. S. Postal Inspectors said that the grayish-white powder was in a business reply envelope that did not require postage. The Inspectors said that they are assuming, at this time, that the letter was mailed from somewhere in Connecticut.
The discovery of the powder comes a day after a suspicious white power that tested positive for ricin was found in Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist's office. King said that discovery and the anthrax contamination of 2001 combined to make officials extremely cautious.
The powder was apparently delivered to the Republican senator's office through the mail system. More definitive tests were expected later Tuesday.
The Wallingford facility is the same postal center at which investigators found anthrax spores in 2001. A 94-year-old Oxford, Conn. , woman, Ottilie Lundgren, died in 2001 after inhaling the bacteria. Investigators believe she got anthrax through mail that passed through the Wallingford sorting center.
For the latest news, stay tuned to NBC 30 Connecticut News and NBC30.com
