SYRACUSE, NY—Pet urine neutralizer was the hazardous material that forced a building-wide evacuation Monday and sent two post office employees to the hospital for evaluation, according to the Syracuse Fire Department.
The chemical was not hazardous, but post office employees were worried it was dangerous and reported minor breathing issues, according to the fire department. The post office on the 2500 block of James Street was evacuated, in addition to the other businesses that share its building.
A hazardous material team determined the package, which was sent to a post office box at the James Street address, posed no risk. It had ceased to emit an odor by the time firefighters donned in haz-mat suits had entered the office, fire officials said.
Two employees were transported to a hospital for difficulty breathing. Paramedics also evaluated one customer at the office, but the customer was not transported to the hospital. The call came in around 10:56 a.m.
The office was turned back over to reopen to the United States Postal Service, according to the fire department.
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