Anthrax found in Pentagon mail facility

Hot off the wire:

Material at Pentagon Mail Facility Tests Positive for Anthrax

More to come as we know. Interestingly, the post office that handled anthrax-contaminated mail in 2001 reopened today. This is from the Pentagon's official press release:

During routine mail operations the Pentagon had a positive detection for the presence of anthrax bacteria at the Remote Delivery Facility (RDF). The RDF was evacuated while tests were conducted to determine if anthrax was present. Subsequent tests have proven negative, however, the Department is taking precautionary measures while further testing is conducted.

The Pentagon says that about 275 people may have come into contact with the contaminated mail. Mail arriving at the facility had already been treated with radiation to kill pathogens, but even dead anthrax germs could set off biohazard alarms. Update, 5:39 p.m.: Turns out the offending material is not in the Pentagon itself, but in another building on the Pentagon campus:

An alarm triggered by sensors detected the presence of a chemical or biological agent at the mail delivery building around 10:30 a.m. EST, a spokesman told reporters in the morning. Officials shut down the facility, which is in a separate structure on the northwest side of the Pentagon grounds. It is to remain closed for at least another day.

More conclusive tests should be coming over the next few days.