Powder sent to Boardman business not hazardous, test reveals

Staff report

BOARDMAN

A white powder sent in an envelope to a Boardman business Nov. 12 is not a dangerous substance, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Results of a lab test came back negative, according to FBI spokeswoman Vicki Anderson.

Township police and fire officials, agents from the FBI’s Cleveland office, a hazardous-materials crew and emergency medical service workers were sent to American Business Center, 7677 South Ave., Nov. 12 after an employee opened an envelope and discovered a white, powdered substance on paperwork from a former employee.

Two employees were exposed to the substance. The pair was decontaminated by a haz-mat crew and taken to St. Elizabeth Boardman Hospital after the nine other employees in the building were evacuated and released.

No one showed any signs of illness at the time, according to police and fire officials.

The substance was sent to an Ohio Department of Health laboratory in Reynoldsburg for testing.

The FBI is handling the investigation.

“It is an ongoing investigation for the FBI, so we are not able to provide any other comment or information at this time,” Anderson said.