On June 1, about a dozen law enforcement agencies were involved in a potential health risk like they never had seen before.
A West Utica woman attempted to make abrin – a chemical more toxic than ricin – and purposefully ingested the powder in her Orchard Street home before calling an ambulance. That call, and the potential health risk it posed to first responders and the public, triggered an hours-long hazmat response from a multitude of local, state and federal law enforcement, said Utica Fire Deputy Chief Scott Ingersoll.
While it was later determined the woman was unsuccessful in her attempts to make abrin, it did teach an important lesson, Ingersoll said. Department officials had an after-action report regarding the incident Monday.