Treasurer s office shut after white powder found

11/18/2006

The Lucas County Treasurer s Office in Government Center was closed temporarily and employees evacuated yesterday after a white powdery substance was found in a roll of coins.

The substance was discovered about 1:20 p.m. by a cashier. Building security personnel and Toledo firefighters were summoned out of concern that the powder might be anthrax. In addition to the evacuation, building personnel shut off the air vents in that portion of the structure.

The 22 employees and about 12 customers in the fifth-floor office were sent to the first floor. The employees were allowed back into the office after about 45 minutes, but it remained closed to walk-in traffic for the rest of the day.

The substance was to be tested by a lab to determine what it was.