The FBI, through laboratory testing, has confirmed the presence of the toxin ricin in these letters. Further forensic examination is being conducted.
Ricin is a poison found naturally in castor beans, but the effects of ricin poisoning require ingestion, inhalation, or injection into the body. To date, the FBI is not aware of any illness as a result of exposure to these letters.
The FBI would like to thank our federal, state, and local partners, specifically the U.S. Capitol Police, whose efforts were instrumental in identifying Paul Kevin Curtis, who was arrested and charged with threats against the President and with other threatening communications.