The House side of the U.S. Capitol reopened Thursday after a brief closure due to an industrial spill.

The Architect of the Capital, the office that is responsible for management and repairs of the building, said in a statement that during ongoing asbestos-removal work, there was a potential release affecting the the Capitol building.

Samples have been collected to determine whether there was a potential widespread exposure, it said.

So far, the building returned normal operation about two and half hours after Capitol Police sent out an alert warning of a potential asbestos exposure at 7 a.m. (1200 GMT).

Authorities were keeping one section of the building sealed off for further inspection, but lawmakers and aides returned to work, and public tours to the building also resumed.

According to the House Speaker John Boehner's office, the House was planning to postpone a bill vote by two hours at around noon.