This post has been updated.
Ten people were evaluated for possible lead exposure in the Longworth House Office Building in Washington, D.C. on Friday after cafeteria employees reported feeling sick, NBC Washington reported.
Eight people were taken to local hospitals with minor symptoms, D.C. fire department spokesman Tim Wilson told the Washington Post.
U.S. Capitol Police, emergency responders arrived at the cafeteria around 10:45 a.m., according to NBC. And a Capitol Police Hazmat team began investigating the cafeteria.
Authorities found a suspicious substance in Suite B-227, the First Call Service Center, but did not identify the substance, according to the Washington Post.
In an email to House employees, the House Sergeant at Arms said that the area had been cleared and that the cafeteria had been undergoing construction overnight for several weeks.
Full email from House Sgt at Arms about potential lead exposure in part of Capitol building (Longworth) pic.twitter.com/8KtIgIrwFZ
— Jennifer Bendery (@jbendery) January 15, 2016
According to Fox News’ Chad Pergram, lead paint may have been the issue.
No asbestos exposure in Longworth incident. Told it is lead paint. Workers were sanding & there may have been exposure of some shavings
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) January 15, 2016
6-9 workers fell sick with nausea in Longworth after potential lead paint exposure.
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) January 15, 2016
Just Longworth Cafeteria is affected. Haz-Mat still investigating lead paint exposure. Unclear how severe
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) January 15, 2016
Too bad the lead exposure problem in Flint, Michigan isn’t getting this type of immediate response, treatment, and resolution…
Well, those folks in Flint are mostly poor brown people so it doesn’t really matter.
Rick Snyder strikes again!
… if only that were the explanation for the past 40 years…
Great…like we needed them even more brain damaged…