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Bag Odor Makes TSA Workers At Logan Airport Sick

BOSTON (CBS) – A luggage room at one of Logan Airport's terminals was evacuated Monday morning after a strange odor was detected in a bag.

Authorities cleared out the screening room at terminal A, which serves Delta and Continental Airlines, after security searched the piece of luggage and found a chemical around 8:30 a.m.

It turned out to be camphor, which can be used for a number of things.

The owner of the bag was taken off his flight and questioned.  He told investigators he was
flying to Beijing, China and was going to use the camphor as rat repellent.

A hazardous material team was called in, along with state police and the fire department, as a precaution.

MassPort spokesman Phil Orlandella told WBZ-TV four TSA employees were taken to the hospital for treatment.

Several had complained about eye irritation, headaches and scratchy throats.

Orlandella said luggage was hand-checked until the bag room re-opened.

The man who had the bag was allowed to continue on his trip, but without the camphor.

WBZ-TV's Bill Shields contributed to this report.

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