An unknown airborne irritant closed a security checkpoint for more than an hour Sunday afternoon at St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport, the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.
An estimated 50 people were exposed to the irritant, but no one received medical treatment or was taken to the hospital, the sheriff's office said.
The source of the airborne irritant was not found, the sheriff's office said.
At 4:15 p.m., the sheriff's office received a call from Transportation Security Administration agents saying the unknown irritant was causing people to choke and cough.
Along with the sheriff's office, the Largo Fire Department Hazardous Material Team and Pinellas Park Fire Department responded.
Officials opened the security checkpoint at 5:25 p.m. and the airport resumed its normal routine.
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