Suspicious package at JFK turns out to be beauty supplies
People wait in line for a security check at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York City on Dec. 23, 2010.
A package that two John F. Kennedy airport Customs and Border Patrol employees said made them sick was determined to contain only beauty supplies, authorities said after testing was carried out.
The customs officials said they fell ill and experienced nausea after opening a package containing an odd odor on Sunday, causing police and federal agents to respond to the facility to investigate, writes NBC New York.
Although there was nothing more dangerous than acetone nail polish remover inside the package, according to CNN initial testing by Port Authority Police showed the package containing weapons-grade chemicals — an apparent false positive.
Initial news reports indicated that the officials may have been hurt by VX, a dangerous organophosphorus nerve agent, writes the Associated Press.
"The FBI responded to John F. Kennedy airport earlier today following reports of two sick employees. The FBI screened and tested the employees and the package they opened," said FBI spokesman J. Peter Donald in a statement, according to the New York Post.
"The package in question was determined to be beauty supplies and nothing further. The scene has been cleared by FBI personnel," he added.
There was no impact on JFK's typical operations, in the wake of a week of heightened security in the wake of widespread US embassy closures in the Middle East.
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