Routine Mail Tests Positive for Anthrax DNA at Federal Reserve

May 9, 2002
By Vincent Del Giudice

Washington, -- About 20 pieces of mail tested positive for anthrax DNA at a Federal Reserve mail handling facility, the central bank said today.

"The affected mail was routine commercial and business mail and did not have any of the characteristics identified by the FBI as suspicious,'' the Fed said in a statement.

Internal mail deliveries at the Fed have been suspended.

The tests, described as preliminary, were administered Tuesday and Wednesday by Fed and contract employees wearing protective suits at the mail handling facility, located near the Fed Board building in Washington.

"The source of the possible contamination is not known,'' the Fed said. "Subsequent tests of mailroom surfaces and mail- distribution points within the board's buildings have all been negative.''

Swabs will be sent to a laboratory for further testing, the central bank said.
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