May 6, 2004

WASHINGTON -- D.C. police are trying to determine who placed envelopes with a white powder in a downtown office building.

Police have determined the building is safe again, and emergency crews are leaving.

D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services spokesman Alan Etter said no one is sick, but hazmat crews have decided to treat people who apparently came in contact with the unidentified substance.

The building is at 555 12th St. NW.

During the investigation, 12th Street, Northwest, was closed between Pennsylvania Avenue and F Street. The street has since reopened.

At about 2 p.m. Thursday, an employee in the building found the envelopes in a cafeteria. He opened one and the powder spilled out, according to police.

Early reports indicate envelopes were hand-delivered to the office building. The envelopes contained the powder and a note that claimed the powder was anthrax. Preliminary tests have not turned up signs of anthrax.

However, two of three tests showed the powder does contain a blistering agent. Investigators are still trying to determine exactly what the powder was.

Investigators said the powder was not airborne, so there is no danger to other workers in the building.

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