Hazardous material crews were called to Sacramento State Wednesday afternoon after receiving reports of a white, powdery substance in Santa Clara Hall.

A contractor working in the building picked up a five-dollar bill, noticed the substance on it and then notified his supervisor. The building was evacuated and closed soon after.

“A white powdery substance was picked up on some sort of currency,” said Captain David Whitt, Public Information Officer for the Sacramento Fire Department.

“An employee was exposed to an unknown substance, and as a general precaution we called out the crews,” said Frank Whitlatch of the Sac State Public Affairs office.

As many as six additional people were exposed to the substance, one of whom was an employee, he said. Whitlatch did not know the name or title of the employee.

Santa Clara Hall was evacuated at 1:12 p.m., five minutes after the incident was reported to Campus Police, according to Whitlatch.

A contractor working in the building picked up a five-dollar bill, noticed the substance on it and then notified his supervisor, Whitt said.

“He probably just wanted to do his job and pick up a piece of trash,” he said.

At least 31 members of the fire department were on hand, in addition to units from Campus Police and the Sacramento City Police department.

Hazardous material crews followed normal procedures by suiting up half a dozen crew members in yellow suits, masks, boots and oxygen tanks before entering the building. Those exposed to the substance were stripped down and scrubbed, as a precautionary measure. Whitt said, although the employee was not showing any negative symptoms.

“The subject is asymptomatic and shows no signs of distress,” he said.

Students standing nearby heard rumors of a threatening note found in addition to the substance, but officials could not confirm it.

“I was driving up as [the crews] got here,” said Chris Schefler, an undeclared freshman. “I heard they found a note on a five-dollar bill, and the note said, ‘The sleeping will arise.'”

Other students, however, thought it was harmless.

“The first thing I thought was that someone bought a powdered donut and got crumbs on [the money],” said liberal studies senior Angie Bahr.

As of 5:30 p.m., Santa Clara Hall had not reopened and officials were not releasing the names of those who contacted the substance.

“Facilities Management is looking at the vents to see if they can just close a section, or if they need to close the whole building,” Whitlatch said.

Santa Clara Hall could remain closed for as long as 24 to 36 hours, according to Whitlatch.

Look for continuing updates at www.statehornet.com