Renton Police Officer Treated After Drug Exposure At City Hall

RENTON, WA — A hazmat response shut down Renton City Hall on Tuesday morning after reports that an employee may have been exposed to fentanyl, a potent synthetic opiate.

According to the Renton Regional Fire Authority, a police officer began to feel light-headed while handling evidence. Medics transported him to Valley Medical Center where he was treated and released.

Units from Renton, Skyway and the Port of Seattle arrived at City Hall shortly after 9:30 a.m. A Hazmat team entered the second floor of City Hall and detected "a presence of illicit drugs," a fire spokesperson said. The items in question were secured and returned to the police department.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says first responders can be at high risk for exposure to drugs like fentanyl during emergency calls. The drug can be absorbed into the body by inhalation or skin contact and it is estimated to be 80 times more powerful than morphine. Police have not confirmed which drug was involved at City Hall.