UPDATE According to officials, the powder was magnesium sulfate, a harmless substance. A total of five people were checked out — three who came into contact with the powder and two who came into contact with those people. None of them required a trip to the hospital.
According to fire officials, magnesium sulfate is a “very common chemical used in a variety of uses, both medical, personal and for landscaping purposes.”
Officials say the substance came from a container of workout supplement and did not carry and malicious or criminal intent. However, police are continuing to investigate. There were no evacuations and the residence area of the building remained open while the mail room was sealed off.
Orange County Fire Rescue responded to a report from UCF around 11 a.m. Tuesday of two people feeling itchy after coming into contact with a powder substance.
A hazmat team was able to enter the Neptune apartment building and remove the exposed people before hosing them down to remove the substance
A UCF Alert message notified students Tuesday afternoon of a possible chemical contaminant situation in the Neptune Housing mailroom area.
“UCF Police is working a possible chemical contaminant situation in the Neptune Housing mailroom area. Please stay clear of this area until further notice,” the alert said.
According to Orange County Fire Rescue, two people came into contact with a powder from a package in the Neptune mailroom and started having itching symptoms.
Officials are currently investigating the substance of the powder and the origin of the package. The two people declined to be taken to the hospital.
No other information was immediately available. Continue to check back for more.
