WEST BRIGHTON — White powder that was found in an envelope sent to a judge in a Staten Island courthouse on Tuesday afternoon caused police to evacuate the building, WABC /Channel 7 reported.
Tests revealed it was baking soda, the news station reported.
Judge Kim Dollard opened the letter at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday and saw the powder falling out of the envelope, according to the channel.
The NYPD's haz-mat teams descended on the courthouse, at 927 Castleton Ave., and evacuated people inside, the Staten Island Advance reported.
At least four people were exposed to the white powder, but no injuries were reported and they were permitted to leave the building during the evacuation, the Advance said.
Testing later proved that the powder was non-toxic.
The incident comes a week after Mayor Michael Bloomberg was sent an anonymous threatening letter that was laced with the poison Ricin.
The courthouse is expected to be open on Wednesday, the Advance reported.