ANGLETON, Texas – An emergency room at a Brazoria County hospital has reopened after being shut down while doctors treated more than a dozen patients who were exposed to a white powder that turned out to be a vitamin supplement.
Deputies said around 4 p.m. a powdery substance was sent to a residence.
The homeowner took the envelope to the West Colombia Police Department.
An officer took the envelope to the Justice of the Peace office for more testing.
Both buildings were then evacuated.
Angleton Danbury Medical Center officials said 15 to 20 people were exposed to the substance and were experiencing nausea and irritation.
The patients were then taken to the hospital for decontamination, leading to the emergency room shutdown.
A private lab determined the powder was a vitamin supplement.
No one knows who sent the powder and the sheriff said the recipient was not expecting it.
Homeland Security, FBI, and postal inspectors are assisting in the investigation.