Powder Scare Closes Ohio Recycling Plant

A suspicious powder was discovered at the Portage County, Ohio, recycling facility Nov. 8. According to press reports, the recycling center was closed after two employees discovered white powder that had spilled out of an envelope with foreign writing on it.

While test results found that the material did not appear to be anthrax, the material is a ‘rod positive bacteria.’ A rod-positive bacteria could be as harmless as household yeast.

Due to the uncertainty over the material itself, the center will remain closed until the final results are obtained and there is clearance from the county Health Department. The tests are expected to be completed by this week.