A letter addressed to US President Barack Obama tested positive for ricin, spreading alarm in a drama over poisoned mail Wednesday in Washington — which was already on edge after the Boston bombings.
The FBI said there was
no connection between the item sent to Obama, which was detected at a remote mail facility, and another sent to Republican Senator Roger Wicker, and blasts at the Boston marathon which killed three people.
After preliminary tests on the Obama letter showed traces of ricin, further examinations will be carried out over the next 24 to 48 hours, the FBI said.
Ricin — a highly toxic protein found in castor beans — can, when inhaled, cause respiratory problems. Ingested orally, it is lethal in even miniscule quantities.
Secret Service spokesman Edwin Donovan said the agency, which protects the president and his family, was working closely with the US Capitol Police and the FBI to trace the origins of the letter.
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