Mysterious Powder Closes BrightHouse Networks Office In Wesley Chapel

It sounds like the opening scene of a political movie: an employee opens an envelope and a mysterious white powder falls from it, sparking a quarantine. However, this was a reality for the employees of the BrightHouse Networks office on S.R. 54 in Wesley Chapel.

According to Doug Tobin of the Pasco County communications office, around 10:30 a.m. on October 1, Pasco Fire Rescue (PFR) responded to a call about a mysterious, white powdery substance found in the mail at the BrightHouse Networks office, located at 30432 S.R. 54. PFR arrived on the scene and called the Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Hazardous Incident Team because of their capabilities with testing unknown substances.

Tobin says that tests determined that the substance was calcium carbonate, which is similar to talcum powder. 

Tobin says that two employees were taken to Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel (FHWC), one of whom touched the powder and the other who complained about feeling nauseated.

Tobin says that the “all-clear” was given at 1:22 p.m.