John Edwards Campaign Office Evacuated After Receiving White Powder in Mail

Raleigh News and Observer staff writer Anne Blythe reported that the Campaign Offices of Presidential Candidate John Edwards in Chapel Hill were evacuated when a staff worker open a letter containing white powder.

The evacuation took place immediately following the discovery of the powder at around 4PM Wednesday, March 14^th.

Captain Bob Overton of the Chapel Hill police said, "We are treating it like it's a possible biological or chemical agent."

The woman who opened the legal sized envelope placed it immediately in a mail bin and rushed off to wash her hands according to Jane Cousins, a spokesperson for the Chapel Hill police.

The police reported that the worker had shown no ill effects at the time of the report.

The police were called to the 410 Market Street address which sits among a mix of homes, shops and offices. Federal, county and regional investigators were summoned to help in the investigation.

White powder letters have been associated with Anthrax attacks since a series of these occurred in 2001.

The campaign office was evacuated to protect the health and safety of the staff and volunteers as this was the primary concern according to deputy campaign manager Jonathan Prince. The office is to stay evacuated until the authorities are able to complete test on the substance. Until this is done the campaign workers will be working from home.

The Chapel Hill police have moved the material to a safe area near the Chapel Hill Police Station where they have run preliminary tests for radiological and chemical materials.

The material has been sent to the state health department for further testing.

The Chapel Hill Police Department was very impressed by the efficient manner in which the campaign worker dealt with the material.

According to Captain Overton, "They did exactly what they should; it was textbook. You divest yourself of the package, wash your hands and call the authorities."