Medical Waste Spurs Hazmat Response at Walter Reed Bethesda

Update, 9:50 p.m. A contractor came into contact with medical waste with low-level radiation in a dumpster on the Walter Reed Bethesda campus Monday evening, according to Fire and Rescue assistant chief Scott Graham.

Fire and Rescue units were called to the military hospital around 8 p.m. Eleven people were evaluated but no one was injured or taken to the hospital, including the person who came into contact with the contaminant, Graham said. The contractor had the substance on his gloves, Graham said.

The contractor's gloves and outer clothing was removed and the person was dry-decontaminated, Graham said.

Walter Reed Bethesda officials have a cleanup team responsible for rendering the material safe and properly disposing of it, Graham said.

Update, 9:24 p.m.: Sandy Dean, a spokeswoman for the hospital, said those involved with the incident are not patients being treated at Walter Reed Bethesda. More information wasn't yet available.

Original Post: A hazmat incident has been reported on the campus of the in Bethesda, according to the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service.

The incident involves multiple patients, according to Fire and Rescue assistant chief Scott Graham.

Further information wasn't immediately available. Stay tuned to Patch for updates.