Ricin found in Austin, TX

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Ricin found in Austin, TX

Posted: 2/25/2006 4:24:57 AM EDT

Being reported by CNN
No one affected so it doesnt seem to be making headlines...but ricin doesnt just come from no where.....someone had to delibrately place it there.

Ricin discovered in University of Texas dorm

Saturday, February 25, 2006; Posted: 7:06 a.m. EST (12:06 GMT)

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- A substance discovered by a student in a University of Texas dormitory has tested positive for ricin, a potentially deadly poison, officials said.

The chunky powder was found at the Moore-Hill dormitory Thursday and reported to university police, officials said. Tests for ricin came back positive Friday. Officials don't know where it came from, said campus police spokeswoman Rhonda Weldon.

"We were very concerned as soon as we heard about the positive testing late this evening," Dr. Theresa Spalding of UT Health Services said Friday.

Ricin is extracted from castor beans and can be added to food or water, injected or sprayed as an aerosol. It can be in the form of a powder, mist, pellet, or it can be dissolved in water or weak acid.

Some students and staff were potentially exposed, according to a university statement, but have not shown any symptoms. Symptoms can include anything from difficulty breathing, fever, cough, nausea and sweating to severe vomiting and dehydration.

The dorm was sanitized and inspected, and students were cleared to return, the university said.

Posted: 2/25/2006 4:31:32 AM EDT

[#1]

One doesn't sanitize ricin. Its not very labile so standard decon measures are not very effective. Since there is no antidote and the LD50 is only several micrograms, there is still a hazard.

This is some dangerous stuff. And the 1993 WTC bombing trial uncovered documents showing production and use of ricin is a key part of the Islamofascist book of terror.

Posted: 2/25/2006 4:48:02 AM EDT

[#2]

Ricin discovered in University of Texas dorm
AUSTIN (AP) — A University of Texas student found a substance that has tested positive for ricin, a potentially deadly poison, in a roll of quarters she was using to do laundry in her dormitory, officials said.

The student and her roommate were being treated for potential exposure to the poison, although neither has exhibited symptoms, said Dr. Theresa Spalding of UT Student Health Services.

The student told university police she found the chunky powder Thursday as she was doing her laundry at the Moore-Hill dormitory, Spalding said. Preliminary tests for ricin came back positive Friday.

"We were very concerned as soon as we heard about the positive testing late this evening," Spalding said. She said the quarters had been in the students' dorm room for several months.

Ricin is extracted from castor beans and can be added to food or water, injected or sprayed as an aerosol. It can be in the form of a powder, mist, pellet, or it can be dissolved in water or weak acid.

Symptoms can include anything from difficulty breathing, fever, cough, nausea and sweating to severe vomiting and dehydration.

The dorm was sanitized and inspected, and students were cleared to return, the university said.

Posted: 2/25/2006 9:29:46 AM EDT

[#3]

In a roll of quarters no less...

Not good

Posted: 2/25/2006 2:43:43 PM EDT

[#4]

It is now being reported that this was a false alarm... the test gave a false positive.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Ricin found in Austin, TX

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