Noxious Fumes Clear Treasury Building
Employees at the Treasury Department were evacuated from the historic building next to the White House on Wednesday after workers complained of noxious fumes that were causing watery eyes, breathing difficulties and nausea.
The fumes, described as smelling like diesel fuel, came from sewer pipes in a tunnel under Pennsylvania Avenue that connects the main Treasury building with an annex, said Alan Etter, a spokesman for the District of Columbia Fire Department.
Fire units, including a hazardous material crew, responded.
No Treasury workers were hospitalized.
Treasury Department spokesman Frank Keith said health and safety officials declared the building safe for occupancy today.
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