FBI RICIN POISONING POSSIBLE-UNIVERSITY MINNESOTA

DE FAAKTO INTELLIGENCE NEWS

SITUATION-RICIN SUSPECTED IN MINNESOTA-07 May 2019

BACKGROUND-THE FBI IS INVESTIGATING THE SUSPECTED POISONING OF A FEMALE COLLEGE STUDENT FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

 

ABC News & The Huffpost are reporting,

Key Points

  • According to the FBI a hazardous material that prompted the evacuation of a Minneapolis apartment complex and injured a University of Minnesota student could be ricin
  • Preliminary testing by the Minnesota Department of Health lab indicated the presumptive potential presence of ricin
  • The FBI said the female student “may have been intentionally handling the material
  • Ricin is a poison found naturally in castor beans
  • The FBI said evidence will be sent to the bureau’s lab in Virginia for positive identification (ABC) (Huffpost)

 

 

Ricin Biotoxin-Faakt Board

Ricin What is it?
• Biotoxin
• Toxic plant protein from castor bean plant
• Usually white powder maybe liquid or crystalline
• Used in industrial applications
• Used as weaponized biotoxin
• Used as terrorism tool

What does it do?
• Toxicity inhibits synthesis of proteins in cells of exposed persons
• Severe allergic reactions
• Small exposures may be fatal

Routes of Exposure
• Absorption skin open wounds-less likely intact skin
• Inhalation
• Eye contact
• Ingestion

Dissemination
• aerosol,
• contaminated food water

Response
Full HAZMAT response
• NIOSH First Responders should use a NIOSH-certified Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN) Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) with a Level A protective suit when entering an area with an unknown contaminant
• Different levels of PPE apply for; red, yellow, green zones

Initial Isolation Distance
Industrial accident
• 800 meters evacuation all directions
• Spill leak 50 meters
• Solid 25 meters

Signs/Symptoms
Short term exposure
• Absorption-skin, eyes, lungs-Irritation, inflammation, internal bleeding, in high doses alkaline caustic burns
• Ingestion-severe vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, hypovolemia, multi-organ dysfunction
• Inhalation-cough, fever, pulmonary edema, respiratory distress, bronchial irritation, asthma

First Aid

• Treatment is supportive
• No antidote
• Remove patient from source

Eyes
• Wash, irrigation, tepid water 15 minutes

Ingestion
• Maintain airway
• Do not induce vomiting
• Charcoal slurry absorbent for toxin

Inhalation
• Maintain airway
• Oxygen for shortness of breath
• Positive pressure ventilation Bag Valve Mask if required

Skin
• Decontaminate skin as per appropriate HAZMAT algorithms

Decontamination

This is a full HAZMAT response decontamination

First Responder
• Remove from contaminated area
• Wash first responder PPE
• Soap, water solution, soft brush
• Doff PPE-in to polyethylene bags

Patient/victim
• Remove from contaminated area
• Remove clothing-into polyethylene bag
• Wash soap, water solution
• Caution not to break skin, cover wounds
• Prevent hypothermia
• Move patient to treatment area

 

Resources

ABC News  https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/fbi-material-found-minneapolis-apartment-ricin-62919258

API Via Huffpost  https://www.huffpost.com/entry/ricin-minneapolis-fbi_n_5cd3c312e4b09f321bdbb080?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAABRpmQGEOyzuCAjn_DMY5LRAfJts2NoKac-MGFhNjdl6qZQ0X6WhrfzLi6qOO5Vw_BAU01gzprxlLhS-mI0Sqls6DPtioFwnAYAIKQKALDDCKclnns9WSV-KRNvy8b_Fi_UUoD7SYlIo6ln-l6A-qT8hPdNjlErX8Wqn5Oh3Ys-4

Ricin-The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)-Center for Disease Control (2018) https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ershdb/emergencyresponsecard_29750002.html

Best Practices for Safe Mail Handling Interagency Security Committee-Department of Homeland Security (2018) https://www.fbiic.gov/public/2010/nov/safe_Mail_Handling.pdf

Disclaimer-De Faakto Intelligence Research is provided to first responders for situational awareness, advice, guidance and educational purposes. Intelligence is perishable and fluid. Intelligence is updated and reassessed as new information becomes available. Sources are evidence based and multiple sources are used when possible. Sometimes intelligence assessments present gaps in information, this is a reality in intelligence led operations and gaps are filled when information presents. Emergency first responders should always follow best industry practices, organizational policy-procedures and regulatory standards.