Ten people are being evaluated for potential lead exposure Friday at the Longworth House Office Building in Washington, D.C., after cafeteria workers reported they weren't feeling well.
The immediate area was cleared, although there was no evacuation, according to a message from the House Sergeant at Arms.
Construction has been taking place overnight in the kitchen of the Longworth cafeteria for the past several weeks, the message said. About 10:45 a.m. Friday, U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) and D.C. Fire & EMS responded to the cafeteria after workers reported feeling ill.
The USCP Hazmat Team responded to check for possible contaminants. The Architect of the Capitol is also looking into the issue, authorities said.
The House Sergeant at Arms has recommended that the cafeteria be closed "out of an abundance of caution" until authorities can determine everything is safe.
Longworth's S. Capitol Street door is closed and eastbound Independence Avenue is closed between Washington Avenue SW to 1st Street SE.
The Longworth House Office Building is one of three facilities used by the U.S. House of Representatives in the nation's capital.
