ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Letters containing a suspicious substance have been sent to more than 40 governors across the country, including former Maryland Gov. Robert Ehrlich (web | news | bio) , authorities say.

One of the suspicious letters was found in the mail room a the Jeffery Building next to the Maryland state house. It contained a strange white powder and was addressed to former Gov. Robert Ehrlich.

The FBI (web) believes the incident is connected to the more than 50 other suspicious packages being sent out around the country since Monday, December 8. The packages have been sent to dozens of National Guard Bureaus and Governors offices and all have been postmarked from Texas. Officials say they are very similar in nature.

In Montgomery, Alabama, hazmat crews didn't take any chances. They entered a government building with full protective suits after a suspicious package was discovered there.

Although the white powder substance in each of these letters has been screened and tests have come back negative, further testing is expected. ABC 7/NewsChannel 8 reporter John Gonzalez has learned the substance in Annapolis was a protein additive. Still, the discovery has been very disconcerting for many who work here.

"Well it's appauling...work right next door to it," said, Karin Stern, who works nearby.

"After 9/11 we're very fearful...what was happening with the post offices, it's all very scary," said Linda Gail, who works nearby

A legitimate threat or not, the FBI is not taking the situation lightly. Special Agent Robert Casey Jr.put it this way: "Sending a hoax letter is serious and can have severe consequences. This is a great drain on each city's response teams."

Special Agent Casey says additional letters have been received at several U.S. Embassies overseas.

The Dallas office of the FBI and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service is investigating and have contacted the governors' offices and State Department to be on the lookout for additional letters.

Anyone with information on who may be sending the letters is asked to call the FBI, USPIS or local police. If you receive a letter, please notify the FBI and your local police. Information on how to handle a suspicious package can be found on www.fbi.gov

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