The Anthrax Threat I 2. A Tale of Two DCs
In 2001, letters containing deadly anthrax spores targeted the Capitol Hill offices of two U.S. Senators, exposing staffers like Laura Petrou to the deadly substance. While the Capitol was swiftly evacuated and those exposed provided treatment, the same urgency was lacking at a Washington D.C. mail facility that processed the anthrax letters.
Despite the known risks, management downplayed the threat, leading to tragic consequences. This episode of the "Cover Up: The Anthrax Threat" podcast recounts the stark contrast between the governmental response on Capitol Hill and the delayed action that cost postal workers their lives. Their stories shed light on the troubling institutional failings during the 2001 anthrax attacks.
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1-Page Summary
Anthrax Attacks Target Senators in 2001
In 2001, letters containing anthrax spores were sent to the offices of Senators Tom Daschle and Patrick Leahy, according to Jay Carson and Laura Petrou who worked for Senator Daschle. An intern opened Daschle's letter, releasing anthrax into the Hart Senate Building. Petrou recalls the building's evacuation after the powder tested positive.
The staff exposed closest to the opened letter, including Jeff Navin, were given antibiotics and anthrax vaccines, which Petrou celebrated receiving after negotiations with the FDA.
Brentwood Postal Workers Put at Risk
At the Brentwood mail facility, where the letters passed through, officials downplayed the anthrax risk, claiming it couldn't escape sealed envelopes, Terrell Worrell recounts. Workers like Worrell were given inadequate protective masks.
Tragically, workers Joseph Morris Jr. and Thomas Curseen Jr. died after anthrax inhalation. The facility only closed for decontamination after their deaths, unlike the swift evacuation on Capitol Hill. An advocacy group called Brentwood Exposed later filed a lawsuit over workers' health issues, which was dismissed.
In 2003, the reopened facility was renamed to honor Morris and Curseen: the Joseph Cursteen Jr. and Thomas Morris Jr. Processing and Distribution Center.
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Clarifications
- Jay Carson and Laura Petrou were individuals who worked for Senator Tom Daschle. They were part of his staff and were involved in handling the situation when letters containing anthrax spores were sent to Senator Daschle's office in 2001. Petrou played a role in negotiating with the FDA for the distribution of antibiotics and anthrax vaccines to the staff exposed to the anthrax.
- The Hart Senate Office Building is one of the office buildings used by the United States Senate. It is located in Washington, D.C., and houses the offices of many senators and their staff. The building is an important part of the U.S. Capitol complex and plays a significant role in the daily operations of the Senate. In the context of the anthrax attacks in 2001, the release of anthrax into the Hart Senate Building had serious implications for the health and safety of those working there.
- The lawsuit filed by Brentwood Exposed was dismissed, indicating that the legal action did not proceed to a resolution in favor of the plaintiffs. This dismissal could have been due to various reasons, such as lack of sufficient evidence, legal technicalities, or challenges in proving liability. The decision to dismiss a lawsuit means that the court did not find the claims presented by Brentwood Exposed to be legally valid or compelling enough to proceed to trial. The specific details and rationale behind the dismissal would typically be outlined in the court's judgment or order.
- The advocacy group Brentwood Exposed was formed to address health issues faced by workers at the Brentwood mail facility following the anthrax attacks in 2001. They aimed to raise awareness about the inadequate protective measures provided to the workers and sought justice for those affected by the anthrax exposure. The group's efforts included filing a lawsuit to address the health concerns of the workers, although the lawsuit was ultimately dismissed. The group played a role in highlighting the challenges faced by the workers and advocating for their rights in the aftermath of the anthrax incidents.
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Anthrax Attacks of 2001 Target Congress
In 2001, the offices of U.S. senators were the targets of a serious bioterrorism event. Jay Carson and Laura Petrou, who worked for South Dakota Senator Tom Daschle, recount their experiences during the anthrax attacks that shook Capitol Hill.
Letters Containing Anthrax Sent to Senators Daschle and Leahy
A threatening anthrax letter was sent to Senator Tom Daschle, the Senate Majority Leader at the time. Laura Petrou, the legislative director, noticed a suspicious small envelope with sloppy handwriting, postmarked from New Jersey with "Greendale School" on it. The letter sat unopened over the weekend until staff could be trained in handling suspicious mail. Grant Leslie, an intern, opened the letter, saw powder, and immediately covered it, waiting for the Capitol Police.
Daschle Letter Opened in Hart Senate Office Building
The significant incident unfolded when Leslie opened a letter to Senator Daschle containing white powder, later confirmed as anthrax, in the Hart Senate Office Building. Anthrax spores spread throughout Senator Daschle's office, contaminating other offices and entering the building's HVAC system.
Staff in Daschle's Office Test Positive for Exposure
The Hart Senate Office Building was evacuated after the Daschle letter tested positive for anthrax. Police and health officials swept the building to assess exposure. Health officials later assured staff members not near the incident that there was minimal risk of exposure beyond six feet from the opened letter.
Leahy Letter Also Passed Through Brentwood Facility
Similarly, a letter containing anthrax sent to Senator Patrick Leahy had also passed through the Brentwood mail facility, raising significant concerns about the spread of the spores.
Capitol Hill Staff Receive Swift Care and Treatment
Capitol Hill staff were provided immediate care following the discovery of the anthrax ...
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Anthrax Attacks of 2001 Target Congress
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Clarifications
- Jay Carson and Laura Petrou were individuals who worked for Senator Tom Daschle during the anthrax attacks of 2001. Senator Tom Daschle was the Senate Majority Leader at the time and was one of the targets of the anthrax-laden letters. Senator Patrick Leahy was another senator who received a threatening letter containing anthrax. Grant Leslie was an intern who opened the letter to Senator Daschle that contained anthrax. Jeff Navin was a staff member who tested positive for anthrax exposure and underwent treatment during the anthrax attacks.
- The Hart Senate Office Building is part of the United States Capitol complex and houses the offices of many senators. The Brentwood mail facility in Washington, D.C., is a postal processing and distribution center. Both locations played significant roles in the handling and spread of the anthrax-laden letters during the 2001 attacks.
- The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) is a national public health agency in the United States responsible for protecting public health and safety. The FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) is the domestic intelligence and security service of the United States, dealing with law enforcement and counterterrorism. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) is a federal agency responsible for protecting and promoting public health through the regulation and supervision of food safety, tobacco products, prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceutical drugs, vaccines, and more.
- HVAC system: An HVAC system stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning system. It is responsible for providing heating and cooling to buildings and regulating air quality. In this context, the mention of the HVAC system indicates that the anthrax spores had spread through the air circulation system of the building.
Anthrax spores: Anthrax spores are the dormant form of the anthrax bacteria. The ...
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Brentwood Postal Workers Denied Adequate Protection
In 2001, Brentwood postal workers were subjected to inadequate protection measures when exposed to anthrax, despite clear dangers, which eventually led to tragedy and legal action.
Brentwood Facility Stays Open Despite Positive Tests
The Brentwood postal facility remained operational even as Burrell Worrell and other employees faced significant health risks due to potential anthrax exposure.
Management Claims Anthrax Could Not Escape Sealed Envelopes
Officials at Brentwood claimed that anthrax could not escape through the seals of envelopes, a statement contradicted by evidence from the CDC. Terrell Worrell witnessed a hazmat team swabbing the facility in protective suits on the same day officials asserted control over the situation. This suggested a disconnect between the perceived risk for workers and the actual danger present.
Employees Given Flimsy Masks Shown Not to Protect Against Anthrax
Employees at Brentwood were given flimsy, cheap paper masks for protection. Worrell reported an inquiry regarding the masks' efficacy revealed they would not provide safety against anthrax, leaving the workers vulnerable.
Morris and Curseen Die After Brentwood Stays Open
The situation at the Brentwood postal facility turned fatal, leading to the death of two workers due to anthrax inhalation and subsequent changes to the facility.
Building Finally Closed and Disinfected After Deaths
The response at the Brentwood facility contrasted sharply with the actions taken on Capitol Hill. Unlike the quick evacuation and testing in the Hart building, Brentwood management decided not to test employees for anthrax exposure unless an employee was already confirmed sick. This resulted in the facility only being closed ...
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Brentwood Postal Workers Denied Adequate Protection
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Clarifications
- Brentwood management initially downplayed the risk of anthrax escaping sealed envelopes, despite evidence suggesting otherwise. They provided employees with inadequate protection in the form of flimsy masks that were not effective against anthrax exposure. The facility remained operational even after positive anthrax tests and only closed for disinfection after two workers tragically died from anthrax inhalation. Brentwood management's response contrasted with the swift actions taken at other locations facing similar threats.
- The lawsuit filed by an advocacy group called Brentwood Exposed, representing employees like Terrell Worrell and Dina, was aimed at the U.S. Postal Service for the health issues faced by workers at the Brentwood facility due to inadequate protection during the anthrax exposure incident. The lawsuit highlighted the workers' struggle for recognition and justice in the face of the tragic events that occurred at the facility. Despite being dismissed by a federal district court, the lawsuit underscored the employees' grievances and the need for accountability in ensuring worker safety.
- The Brentwood postal facility was renamed the Joseph C ...
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