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June 4, 2009
For Immediate Release
For more information: Chris Taylor (801) 472-8588
Written by: Erin Spurgeon (801) 750-5806
The suspicious substance found earlier this morning in Utah Valley University's Woodbury Business Building has been tested by local hazmat teams, as well as an independent lab and a support team from the National Guard. All results have been confirmed as negative.
The substance was first tested by an independent lab for Anthrax and biological viruses, the results of which came back negative, then for radioactivity and volatility, which also came back negative. The results of the initial lab tests were later confirmed by a National Guard support team, which, as a precautionary measure, also tested to rule out the possibility of Ricin.
“In these situations, there is no such thing as being too cautious,” said Chris Taylor, UVU spokesman and associate vice president for communications. “We wanted to take every precaution we could, and we feel like we’ve done that. We greatly appreciate the support we’ve received from all those involved in responding to this incident to help us ensure the safety of our campus community.”
Special response teams from the cities of Orem and Provo, the 85th civil support team from the National Guard in Lehi, Utah, the independent lab and the UVU police were all involved in the emergency response.
The suspicious substance was found on a table in a hallway within the Woodbury Business Building earlier today and reported to campus authorities by a university employee. According to reports, the substance looked as if it had been deliberately placed. University police are conducting an open investigation of the incident and have notified the FBI.
Friday classes at UVU, including those in the Business Building, will proceed as normal.
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