Letters to the Editor

This letter is associated with the following article:
  • What about the AFIP?

    The Armed Forces Institute of Pathology published a newsletter about a year after the Anthrax attacks. If you want to look at it, it is here: http://www.afip.org/images/public/nl081002.pdf

    On page 6 of the document, Florabel G. Mullick, the Principal Deputy Director of AFIP, is quoted as follows:

    “Ft Detrick sought our assistance to determine the specific

    components of the anthrax found in the Daschle letter."

    The article goes on to say: "AFIP experts utilized an energy

    dispersive X-ray spectrometer (an instrument used to detect the

    presence of otherwise-unseen chemicals through characteristic

    wavelengths of X-ray light) to confirm the previously unidentifiable substance as silica."

    then the article quotes Ms. Mullick as follows:

    “This was a key component,” Mullick said. “Silica prevents the anthrax from aggregating, making it easier to aerosolize. Significantly, we noted the absence of aluminum with the silica. This combination had previously been found in anthrax produced by Iraq.”

    Do you suppose Ms. Mullick was one of ABC's sources?