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Hazmat crews and emergency response teams deployed to the Pentagon on Thursday morning over what the Defense Department called “an air quality issue.”
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Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed that “sophisticated systems” had “detected an air quality issue necessitating precautionary measures until we determine its significance.”
“The Department is executing standard protection protocols, including a shelter-in-place order for the affected area,” Parnell added. “Response teams are in place and ready to support building occupants.”
Pentagon employees received an emergency message saying “additional testing could take one to two hours. Response teams are in place and ready to support building occupants if necessary.”
In a post on X, the Arlington County Fire Department said emergency units, including its Hazmat team, were “operating at the Pentagon in support of PFPA’s Hazmat Team during a hazardous materials incident.”
Courtney Kube is a correspondent covering national security and the military for the NBC News Investigative Unit.
I am NBC News’ producer & off-air reporter covering stories about and related to the Defense Department around the world.
Daniel Arkin is a senior reporter at NBC News.
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