Belgians probe letters bearing toxic powders

AP ^ | June 5, 2003 | Constant Brand

[sarcasm]

RUSSELS -- Belgian authorities yesterday were investigating 10 letters laced with toxic powders addressed to Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt, the American, Saudi and British embassies and other offices.

The powders contained hydrazine, used as a garden pesticide, and phenarsazine, an arsenic derivative used in rat poison, government toxicologists said. The chemicals can irritate the skin, eyes and nasal passages.

[a history buff]

Hydrazine is / was used as a rocket fuel (for the V-2s if memory serves me right), and was later used as one of the first anti-depressants.