White powder found on MBTA bus identified as common chalk

(George Rizer/Globe Staff)

By Brian Ballou, Globe Staff

The white powder found on the dashboard of an MBTA bus that caused a scare this morning in Haymarket Square was identified as common chalk.

The substance was analyzed at the State Police laboratory, said Joe Pesaturo, an MBTA spokesman. The driver was treated and released at Boston Medical Center for eye irritation and light-headedness.

"This substance is likely not responsible for the symptoms reported by the bus operator," Pesaturo said in an email this afternoon.

The driver had been on the road since 5 a.m. and noticed the powder on the dashboard at 9:16 a.m. as she pulled into Haymarket Square. Transit Police and fire officials immediately cordoned off Surface Road and a hazmat team responded to the bus station near Government Center.

The name of the driver was not released, but she was described a 52-year-old woman who has worked for the MBTA for 23 years.

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