Any Advice For Handling Opalescent White Powder?

I'm organizing the huge collection I recently acquired. This morning I began encountering clumps of opalescent white powder among some U.S. mint blocks from the 1960s and 1970s. At first, I thought it was residue from some waxed paper used to preserve large blocks/sheets.

I found a mention of draftsman's powder in an article about preservation and cleaning on Stamps.org. Further research on draftsman's powder revealed that it is often opalescent in nature. The powder I found is extremely fine--similar to eye shadow powder. While the article is clear about use and removal of draftsman's powder, I'm concerned about damage due to the length of time this powder has been on the stamps.

Photos below. Thank you for any guidance you can provide!

Is the powder stuck to the stamp surface or can it be brushed off without removing the ink or leaving residue on the stamp?
Don

The bulk of the powder comes off when I hold the stamp with my tongs and tap the tongs on the edge of the table. An dusting remains over the entire surface that doesn't wipe away completely with a tissue. A gentle brush may work. I stopped before I went too far!

It does no damage whatsoever. Once in awhile I run across it in groups of old glassines that I purchase in large lots. I blow it off with air in a can.

It could be material from broken silica gel (desiccant) packets.

No. It is like talcum powder. Very fine.

If it were me, I would remove as much of the powdery material as is possible, use a computer-type hand vacuum to get the rest, and isolate any of the mint stamps that you might use as postage. I would put them in a separate envelope and mark it "do not lick these stamps - unknown material on gum".

Did this collection come from The Cartel? May be more value in the powder...lol

LOL Turff49! As far as I know, these are not from a cartel.

Had a similar thing with a bunch of canadian face. They used talcum powder and put them in wax paper. Just dusted it off and used it for postage. Sure smelled baby fresh though.