The recent national fears of anthrax have hit close to home.

The Genoa Police Department was notified Monday by the post office of a suspicious letter that was delivered to a Genoa woman Saturday. The letter subsequently exploded a substance on her when she opened it.

Genoa Police Chief Don Smith said the letter emitted a powdery aerosol substance. It contained plastic grocery bags which held the substance.

He said FBI officials don’t think the substance was anthrax, based on its color.

Police don’t know who the woman was, because Smith said after the contents of the letter exploded, she threw the letter away. The woman then reconsidered and delivered the letter back to the Genoa Post Office the same day.

On Monday, authorities were notified. Police said they will try to find the woman after the package has been neutralized by the Illinois State Police Crime Lab in Rockford.

“It could be out Friday or it could be out in a couple of weeks,” Smith said referring to the finalization of the investigation.

Smith said the person who mailed the letter could be charged with a federal charge of mail tampering and a count of disorderly conduct, which is a Class 4 felony.