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Tainted water at US Capitol prompts blood tests

Posted at 8:26 PM, Jul 05, 2016
and last updated 2016-07-05 20:26:35-04

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Architect of the Capitol says blood tests will be available to House members and staff after elevated lead levels in the water at a U.S. Capitol office building.

In a notice Tuesday, the architect of the Capitol, Stephen Ayers, said the tests would be conducted on Wednesday at no cost.

Officials shut off the water in the Cannon House Office Building after they received elevated lead test results.

The architect's office informed lawmakers last week that lead levels in the drinking water of the Cannon building "are slightly above the (Environmental Protection Agency) standard."

Lead can be especially harmful to the unborn.