Case%20Study,%20A%20Suspicious%20Package

1
Case Study, A Suspicious Package

• Marshall Gray, CIH
• Director of Safety, Health, and Environmental
  Management
• US EPA, Office of Research and Development, RTP,
  NC

2
A (compressed) Friday

• ORD / NHEERL Headquarters and Reproductive
  Toxicology Division
• Animal Colony
• Contractors
• _at_ 100 personnel on normal day
• New lab building

3
A typical Friday, and Youre off when

• 1130 Package opened in the office space
• 1140 Researcher contacted SHEM office,
  complaining of irritation to mouth, throat

4

• What Could it Be?
• What do you do with the sample?
• Do you evacuate?
• Who do we call?

5
How well they follow directions

• Researcher (PhD Toxicologist) instructed to
  deliver package to a BSC in an adjacent lab,
  restrict entry, and visit clinic
• 1150, SHEM personnel investigate -- researcher
  brought package to a lab, but did not place in
  fume hood -- The package was without a warning
  label or sign.

6
Some facts

• Researcher opened poster tube from UK
• Within tube are 3 vials marked with biohazard
  labels
• Researcher opens at least one vial
• White powder released, causes skin irritation
• Approximately 40 Building Occupants have orders
  in hand to professional conference on West Coast

7
In Real Life

• Concerned for Anthrax or other biological agent
• Ordered evacuation via PA system and had
  employees gather for briefing
• Called CDC, State of NC
• Discussed situation with employees tried not to
  ID person who opened package
• Temporarily held employees from travel
• Risk assessment, risk assessment

8
Some More Challenges

• Lab animals in surgery
• Lab colony to be fed
• Personnel orders / credit cards, etc. in Building
• Lab operations to be shut down

9
Just the facts Friday

• Supposed to start with first responder
• SBI calls FBI
• FBI takes over as crime scene
• EPA HQ calls, EPA CID Calls
• Find your PAO!!

10
This is For Real
11
Event Footage
12
Crime Scene
13
Caddie Shack
14
Decon
15
Other facts / Challenges

• Lab and office spaces were under positive
  pressure, relative to adjacent spaces
• Lab Investigator left campus after clinic visit
  (to prepare for west coast travel)
• Lab Investigator was suspect every body feels
  guilty!!
• Keep a clean office!
• FBI concerned because of UK connection
• Samples to State Public Health Lab
• Do we quarantine?
• Symptoms being displayed

16
Lessons Learned

• Emergency response plan and coordination among
  facilities managers and response personnel needed
  improvement nothing in plan about biosafety
• PA didnt work well, people remained in building
• The LEPC was well-versed in threat planning and
  response therefore, increased involvement and
  knowledge of LEPC needed
• Total cost of response 2k

17
Epilogue

• White powdery substance was a chemical
  desiccant to absorb spilled material from the
  inner container
• Biohazardous substances were human specimens in
  route to UNC from various NC county coroners
  office
• FBI turned case to postal inspector once
  criminal intent was dismissed
• If it were real and in an office building . Not
  a good prognosis.

18
After Action / Lessons Learned

• Management of contaminated personnel
• Re-entering building, need to lock down
• PA system evaluation
• Ventilation balance
• Plan review
• Memo to all hands
• Review of security procedures / X-ray
• Reviewed training records / use as a reminder