FORT DETRICK, MD (April 10, 2002) -- According to established safety plans, Fort Detrick suspended the excavation of Area B-11 yesterday after 18 additional vials were uncovered. Laboratory analysis indicates that potentially infectious bacteria were present in the vials and excavated soil. Army scientists are conducting additional analysis and a risk assessment of soil samples.
Preliminary laboratory results indicate the presence of Klebsiella pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Listeria. Additional laboratory tests are underway to confirm the presence of these bacteria.
Twenty-two workers at the excavation site, employees of the IT Corporation, were directed by their company physician to get nose and throat swabs at Frederick Memorial Hospital today. This is standard operating procedure when a new health hazard or potential hazard is encountered. Workers wear impermeable protective suits and breathe clean air through supplied air lines during the excavation, so they are unlikely to have been exposed to bacteria.
Fort Detrick, Army Corps of Engineers, and IT Corp. officials continue to review safety mechanisms and procedures for handling hazardous substances associated with the excavation. Safety systems include a containment structure over the excavation site, a high efficiency air filtration system for building exhaust, dust control, soil disinfectant systems, an on-site laboratory for chemical analysis, and off-site biological laboratory support for biological analysis of excavated material. These protective measures and engineering controls employ the best available technology to prevent any exposures to the surrounding community.
Additional information about the suspension of the excavation will be presented at the Fort Detrick Restoration Advisory Board meeting, Thursday, April 11, at 7:30 p.m. in the Fort Detrick headquarters building.
For information call:
Eileen C. Mitchell
U.S. Army Garrison
810 Schreider St.
Fort Detrick, MD 21702-5000
301-619-3357
eileen.mitchell@det.amedd.army.mil
If you would like more information about the project please visit the Fort Detrick web site at www.detrick.army.mil/detrick/rab/, or call the Fort Detrick Public Affairs Office at 301-619-2018.
http://web.archive.org/web/20020613090631/http://www.detrick.army.mil/detrick/areab/10apr02.cfmJohn O'Neill - 9/11 Encyclopedia
Jerome Hauer - 9/11 Encyclopedia
Meet Jerome Hauer, 9/11 Suspect Awaiting Indictment
Kroll Associates Inc - 9/11 Encyclopedia
Johns Hopkins Institute - 9/11 Encyclopediaanthrax