http://cnn.usnews.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?action=cpt&title=CNN.com+-+Early+tests+show+deadly+ricin+in+Senate+mailroom+-+Feb.+2%2C+2004&expire=-1&urlID=9146661&fb=Y&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2004%2FUS%2F02%2F02%2Fsenate.hazardous%2Findex.html&partnerID=2004
http://tinyurl.com/2gzyv Army lab investigating white, powdery substance WASHINGTON (CNN) --Preliminary tests on a white, powdery substance found in the mailroom of Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist indicate the presence of the deadly substance ricin, a Homeland Security official said Monday. A U.S. Capitol police spokeswoman said the department is investigating the matter but would not comment on the substance found, saying only that preliminary tests were positive for a "hazardous substance." The substance is to be tested further at the Army research laboratory at Fort Detrick, Maryland. The Homeland Security official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said those results could be back as soon as Tuesday. Authorities said people should stay clear of the south side of the fourth floor of the Dirksen Senate Office Building. Ricin is a natural, highly toxic compound that comes from castor beans, used to make castor oil. It can be inhaled, ingested or injected. There is no antidote for ricin poisoning, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A dose the size of the head of a pin could kill an adult. In October, traces of ricin were discovered inside a small metal container in an envelope at a postal handling facility in Greenville, South Carolina. With the poison was an "angry, unsigned note." (Full story) Several U.S. agencies are offering a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. The ricin scare raises the specter of the deadly anthrax mailings in 2001. Five people died and 13 others were sickened in four states and the District of Columbia when anthrax-laced letters were sent to two U.S. senators and a number of media outlets. Two of the dead were postal workers who were infected while processing mail. No one has been arrested in connection with the anthrax case. xponent Uh Oh Maru rob _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
