Homeland Security

DATE=02/03/04

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=CONGRESS / RICIN - L

NUMBER=2-

BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE

DATELINE=WASHINGTON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: In Washington, authorities have confirmed that a suspicious white powder found in a U-S Senate office building has tested positive for the deadly poison ricin. Correspondent Deborah Tate reports from Washington.

TEXT: Capitol police say they were notified of the discovery of the suspicious substance in the Dirksen Senate Office building Monday afternoon.

Sergeant Contricia Ford is a police spokeswoman:

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There was a call placed from that office that the staffer who was opening the mail noticed a powdery substance and our hazardous devices unit responded.

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Police say the powder was tested a number of times, and most of the tests came back positive for ricin. One additional test is to be conducted, but results will not be known until later Tuesday.

Police say there were 16 people on the fourth floor of the building, where the envelope containing the powder was found.

Sargeant Ford says it appears no one's health has been affected:

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No staff or capitol police officers are showing any symptoms. They have been decontaminated and have been sent home and are under kind of like a "symptom watch" just to make sure nothing sparks up through the wee hours of the night... Everyone is doing OK.

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Ricin is derived from the castor bean plant. The U-S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says ricin can kill within 36 to 72 hours of exposure to significant amounts.

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist of Tennessee said there would be a criminal investigation.

In 2001, anthrax was found in letters sent to the offices of Senators Tom Daschle of South Dakota and Patrick Leahy of Vermont. No one has been arrested in those incidents. (signed)

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