FBI and USPIS investigate white-powder letters mailed to US election officials, media outlets and polling firms
The FBI and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) are investigating multiple letters containing suspicious white powder mailed to locations across the US. Recipients include elected officials, Secretaries of State and their election offices, media organizations, and public and private polling companies. Law enforcement is working to intercept further letters before delivery. To date no hazardous material has been identified, but laboratory testing is ongoing, and all suspicious substances should be treated as hazardous. The article gives no attribution, no motive and no cyber component. It is a physical-security advisory for election infrastructure.
Remediação
- Equip staff who handle mail at election-related sites with PPE (smock or apron, mask, nitrile gloves), and put mail-handling and hazardous-exposure procedures in place with trained personnel.
- If a piece of mail contains an unknown substance, call 911 for law enforcement and EMS.
- Do not move, shake or blow on the mail piece. If possible, cover it with a container and leave it in place.
- Leave the room and close the door. Isolate the area, warn others not to enter, and turn off HVAC and ventilation if possible.
- Do not touch your eyes, mouth, nose or skin. Remove contaminated clothing and bag it, and wash skin with cool water and soap. Do not use hand sanitizer, alcohol-based cleaners or bleach, because they may enhance absorption.
- Keep everyone who was in the room together until responders arrive, avoiding direct contact with others where possible.
- Report the incident to the FBI (local field office, Election Crimes Coordinator or WMD Coordinator, or 1-800-CALL-FBI) and to USPIS (1-877-876-2455).
- Refer to the CISA guidance "Election Mail Handling Procedures to Protect Against Hazardous Materials" and the USPIS "Suspicious Mail" page.
Linha do tempo
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FBI and USPIS investigate white-powder letters mailed to US election officials, media outlets and polling firms
ler a análise desta fonte ocultar
The FBI and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) are investigating multiple letters containing suspicious white powder mailed to locations across the US. Recipients include elected officials, Secretaries of State and their election offices, media organizations, and public and private polling companies. Law enforcement is working to intercept further letters before delivery. To date no hazardous material has been identified, but laboratory testing is ongoing, and all suspicious substances should be treated as hazardous. The article gives no attribution, no motive and no cyber component. It is a physical-security advisory for election infrastructure.
Remediation
- Equip staff who handle mail at election-related sites with PPE (smock or apron, mask, nitrile gloves), and put mail-handling and hazardous-exposure procedures in place with trained personnel.
- If a piece of mail contains an unknown substance, call 911 for law enforcement and EMS.
- Do not move, shake or blow on the mail piece. If possible, cover it with a container and leave it in place.
- Leave the room and close the door. Isolate the area, warn others not to enter, and turn off HVAC and ventilation if possible.
- Do not touch your eyes, mouth, nose or skin. Remove contaminated clothing and bag it, and wash skin with cool water and soap. Do not use hand sanitizer, alcohol-based cleaners or bleach, because they may enhance absorption.
- Keep everyone who was in the room together until responders arrive, avoiding direct contact with others where possible.
- Report the incident to the FBI (local field office, Election Crimes Coordinator or WMD Coordinator, or 1-800-CALL-FBI) and to USPIS (1-877-876-2455).
- Refer to the CISA guidance "Election Mail Handling Procedures to Protect Against Hazardous Materials" and the USPIS "Suspicious Mail" page.