Since May, Pentagon has been investigating labs over how they handle anthrax and other toxins. The investigation was since live anthrax samples were accidentally shipped to labs across the world. Now, the US Army has suspended operations at three Maryland military labs.

At three Defense Department laboratories, operations have been suspended and of those three are in Maryland. These and six other facilities across America have been asked to conduct safety reviews as well.

The Pentagon has admitted that the spores were accidentally sent from a facility in Utah to a number of labs in 50 states. Despite the mishap, no illness has been reported. US Army spokesperson, Colonel Ronald Fizer, said, “No known risk to the general public, and there’s no suspected or confirmed cases of anthrax infection”.

Labs in Ohio, Massachusetts, Virginia and Utah are also under review. Army Secretary John McHugh has asked to carry out an immediate review of Department of Defense labs that have toxins. Also, the Pentagon has extended a ban on production and shipment of risky materials due to safety concerns.

The United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, South Korea, Canada, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and Norway are the nine foreign labs where the Pentagon anthrax was shipped. There is no evidence that employees have been exposed to live anthrax and also, there is no risk to general public at any time. Since 2003, Pentagon has shipped inactivated or dead samples of Bacillus Anthracis to selected labs.