Suspicious Substance Mailed to N.O. Business Sent for Further Testing; 4 Employees to Hospital

WWLTV.COM ^ | 10/17/2001

[Irma]

A hazmat worker exits a decontamination tent at the scene

Suspicious Substance Mailed to N.O. Business Sent for Further Testing; 4 Employees to Hospital

(10/17/01, 06:00 AM)

Mayor Marc Morial, police, fire and other emergency officials will hold a news conference later today to talk about last nights anthrax scare and how residents should prepare to deal with a possible threat.

Last night, a hazardous material team converged on an Airline Drive business Tuesday evening after tests could not rule out the possibility that a suspicious substance in a package contained anthrax spores.

According to investigators, four employees of the Malcolm Faber trophy shop were taken to Charity Hospital after the substance was discovered at around 4:30 p.m.

Four employees were taken to Charity Hospital, where they are being monitored and given prophylactic treatment.

One of them, a 40-year-old Kenner woman, complained of flu-like symptoms, and was kept overnight.

Firefighters called to the scene tested the powder found in the parcel to see if it contained organic matter. When the test came back positive, the area was sealed, and samples of the substance were sent to the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals for further testing. The results of those test are expected to be ready sometime later today.

Investigators say the business had expected to receive the package from a computer supply company in Boca Raton, Florida.

According to New Orleans Fire Department Superintendent Warren McDaniels, this is the first case out of about 30 reports throughout the city, that has produced positive results in field tests.

Educational/Discussion Purposes Only

[Irma]

FYI

[Irma]

FYI......

I'm wondering what the scene is like at Cafe' du Monde! Love those powdered beignets!

[chemicalman]

Cafe' du Monde! Love those powdered beignets!

I wonder how the business there has been doing since the "white powder" scare? LOL

[Smartaleck]

"A hazmat worker exits a decontamination tent at the scene"

Wearing his especially modified "shrimp boots" I'm sure?

"given prophylactic treatment."

Leave it to them Cajuns to mix bidness with pleasure....LOL

I trust you are well my friend.....

[blam]

Good morning bump.

[Le-Roy]

N'awlins?

Anything further?

[cajungirl]

Oh Lord!! The Cafe will be closed by tonite what with all that white powder. Probably it was a roux gone bad that got sprinkled around. I wonder if Irma has been cooking something up.

[lsucat]

WWL is reporting now that it is most likely cornstarch. The company who packed it says they use cornstarch in packing.

[Irma]

THANKS! I just found an update on their site....here:

Preliminary Tests on Trophy Shop Substance Are Negative

Preliminary tests on the four patients who came into contact with a suspicious substance at a New Orleans trophy shop have come back negative for anthrax.

The fourth patient was released today from Charity Hospital and so far all tests for the disease have come back negative.

Also preliminary lab tests on the substance found at the store have come back negative. Technicians say the substance will be monitored for the next couple of days.

Last night, a hazardous material team converged on the Airline Drive business after tests could not rule out the possibility that a suspicious substance in a package contained anthrax spores.

Now you know why I didn't post this in breaking news. ;-)

[chemicalman]

Damn Airline crack hoes...LMAO

[Irma]

ROFL

I'm just glad they are not shutting down the French Market! hahaha!

[Charles Martel]

I wonder if they thought to check the powdered milk (I'm pretty sure that Cafe' Du Monde and Morning Call use it - it's why their cafe au lait always tastes different).

Cremora? Aaauuugh!! White powder everywhere!

[Loopy]

Can't think of anything on Airline Highway worth contaminating with Anthrax. Maybe the Rock and Bowl, but that's on Tulane isn't it.

[blam]

In the 'clear' bump.