USPS: 20,000 Powder Reports
Since the anthrax attacks in 2001, postal facilities across the nation have been on high alert, and employees have called in more than 20,000 powder reports.
All but a few have turned out to be nothing more than soap, dust, talc or other non-lethal substances. Sand was the culprit in one incident — included in wedding invitations for a beach ceremony. …
Leaking suspicious powders that turned out to be harmless include powdered alfredo sauce, ground lentils, pudding mix and coffee creamer, McMinn said.
Other cases have included leaking samples of detergent, sugar or baking soda.
The Postal Service itself had used talc to maintain dryness in shipments of stamps sent to collectors.
One anonymous reader told the trade publication Linn’s Stamp News that he had six firefighters, two police officers and the local hazmat crew in his living room after noticing powder when he opened a package of stamps.
The post office now uses a non-powder dry board in its stamp packages.