World War II First Aid Kit Prompts Hazardous Material Investigation at Tudor Place

Updated 10:40 p.m. Monday

Metropolitan Police Department, D.C. Fire and EMS Special Operations and a Hazardous Material team evaluated chemicals in a World War II-era first aid kit found Monday at Tudor Place at 1644 31st St., NW.

Around 3:30 p.m., staff at Tudor Place called D.C. FEMS over concerns of potentially radioactive material in the old first aid kit. Though concerns over radioactive material were unfounded, another substance in the kit could have been potentially dangerous.

Picric Acid, which was used as an antiseptic and as a treatment for burns, malaria, herpes and smallpox in the early 20th century, can be potentially explosive when it becomes crystallized. The crystallized substance is most commonly used in explosives and munitions.

“We’re dealing with a  very small amount” of the substance, said D.C. FEMS Public Information Officer Pete Piringer.

MPD Sgt. Harry Hayes called the situation "potentially dangerous."

Residents of 31st Street were not been evacuated, but were told to stay inside.

The street surrounding the historic property were cordoned off between Q and R Streets.

“We believe we have everything pretty much under control,” said Piringer just after 5 p.m.

A hazmat team removed the substance from the building. According to the FEMS twitter feed by 5:45 all hazards were stabilized and mitigated by an MPD explosive team. FEMS units cleared the scene just before 6 p.m.

There were no incident-related injuries.