Trace Amount of Anthrax Found in Office of Personnel Management Mail Room

Washington, D.C. -- The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) was informed today that a counter top swab taken in the OPM mailroom on December 11, 2001, tested positive for a scant amount of anthrax. The routine tests, which were performed at the request of the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, Kay Coles James, began shortly after a letter containing anthrax was delivered to a Senate office on Capitol Hill in October.

Director James has taken immediate precautionary steps in light of today's finding. "The most important aspect of this is that none of our people working in the mailroom have exhibited any signs of anthrax-related illness," said James. "I have directed a complete and immediate re-cleansing and sanitation of our mail facility, and our employees in that department will be meeting with officials from the Centers for Disease Control." OPM coordinated its response in conjunction with the CDC and FBI. The agency also alerted other appropriate governmental entities, including the National Response Center.

The single spore of anthrax found is far below what the CDC indicates can cause medical problems. According to CRE, Inc., the company contracted to conduct the testing at OPM, there have been no other indications of anthrax in air samples gathered at OPM since testing began late last year. Director James had ordered air samples and countertop swabs to be taken every three days since that time.

Countertop swab samples are tested immediately to determine if large levels of anthrax spores are present. If they are not, the samples then undergo more extensive and time-consuming examination. It was during this second level of testing when the spore was found, thus explaining the delay in the findings.

OPM oversees the federal work force and provides the American public with up-to-date employment information. OPM also supports U.S. agencies with personnel services and policy leadership including staffing tools, guidance on labor-management relations and programs to improve work force performance.