DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE STATEMENT REGARDING BUREAU OF PRISONS
HEADQUARTERS' ANTHRAX TEST RESULTS

Washington, D.C. - The Department of Justice issued the following statement regarding anthrax test results for the Bureau of Prisons Headquarters:

"Today, the Bureau of Prisons received results from the anthrax testing of the HOLC Building at 320 First Street. The results from the 500 First Street Building have not been received.

"For the HOLC Building, six sites were tested. Of these tests, two yielded positive results and four yielded negative results. The two areas that tested positive were confined to the mail room, which remains sealed.

"The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has charactered the positive test results as ‘scant contamination' with a minimal risk of inhalation anthrax disease. We are in the process of consulting with the CDC regarding appropriate medical recommendations for affected BOP personnel, and expect to so advise BOP personnel tomorrow.

"Staff should report to work tomorrow as scheduled. We will apprise staff of additional information as it becomes available."

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