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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Things returned to normal Monday afternoon after two workers were hospitalized after opening an envelope.

Two female employees at a driver’s testing office at 8044 N. Oak Trafficway noticed a weird smell coming from a letter addressed to the Missouri Highway Patrol – and decided not take any chances.

Around 12:30 multiple agencies were called as a precaution. Another female employee noticed a chemical odor coming from it and decided to call police.

Inside the envelope was blank paper and a piece of cardboard. The women said they felt nauseous and had headaches, and were taken to a hospital.

Near North Oak Trafficway and Main.
Near North Oak Trafficway and Main.

A few nearby streets were blocked off as was the whole shopping center. Just after 5 p.m., streets were reopened and business resumed normal operations. Police say the envelope was free of hazardous materials.

Police say the employees say their symptoms appear to be improving, and they are doing more tests.

A local business owner says nothing like this had ever happened in the area before.

“It’s a little inconvenient, I don’t know how drastic it is that they needed to block off the whole block,” he said.

USPS inspectors will continue to investigate the origin of the letter.