FBI Says Suspicious Powder Is Not Ricin

The FBI has determined a powdery substance found in a roll of quarters at a University of Texas dormitory was not ricin after initial state tests had indicated it was the potentially deadly poison, a spokesman said.

The FBI tests did not identify the substance, but they came back negative for the poison, said San Antonio FBI spokesman Rene Salinas.

“There were no proteins in there to indicate it was in fact ricin,” Salinas said. He said it was unlikely further testing would be done. Texas health officials did “just a quick test and they don’t check for the proteins in ricin,” Salinas said.

The mystery powder spilled onto a freshman’s hands as she unwrapped a roll of quarters in her dorm room Thursday.