HazMat Team
Called to Clean Park Powder
The Eugene Register-Guard
City/Region section
Thursday, January 14, 1999
The Eugene Fire Department's
HazMat (hazardous materials)team on Wednesday cleaned
up more than 50 small piles of white powder believed
to be flour in Maurie Jacobs Park.
Field sampling indicated the
powder, which was found at the base of trees and
light poles in the park, was flour or flour laced
with pesticides, according to a city news release.
Because of other reports about
similar piles of white powder on streets leading to
the park, city officials speculated the substance may
have been used to mark the course of an unofficial
run.
The cost of the cleanup is
unknown, but according to Tim Rhay, the city,s acting
park operations manager, it,s likely to be
“significant.” City officials are
investigating the matter.