Tests on a sample of the suspicious white powder found in a threatening letter addressed to a University physics professor continue to show negative results for anthrax.
The Oregon State Public Health Laboratory in Portland found no evidence of the deadly bacteria Saturday during a test of the powder found in an envelope addressed to Emeritus Professor Bernd Crasemann.
The results came a day after a preliminary test of the powder showed negative results for weaponized anthrax. Weaponized anthrax is a high concentration of the anthrax organism in small amounts of a substance such as powder or liquid, health officials said.
“There is no evidence at this time that the contents (of the letter) contain anthrax bacteria,” Lane County public health program manager Karen Gillette said in a news release. “Nevertheless, this incident has been a good exercise for everyone involved.”
In Saturday’s test, attempts to grow an anthrax culture were unsuccessful, confirming for now that the sample doesn’t contain anthrax.
The FBI is continuing its investigation of Thursday’s incident, and a spokeswoman said the agency was awaiting results of another test of the powder today.
A University employee admitted himself to McKenzie-Willamette Hospital on Thursday afternoon because he feared he’d been exposed to the substance while handling the letter. He was treated and released Thursday evening.
Nasal swabs taken from five Eugene hazardous materials workers are being held until final results are available from the Portland lab. The workers admitted themselves to the hospital Thursday evening after working to decontaminate the professor’s office in 251 Willamette Hall.