Having been in the haz business once upon a time I saw very similar behaviour from public employees (and only public employees). Any chance or excuse to claim illness, hopefully disability, worker comp, mental distress. Anything.
I bet this was the case here.
Bingo.
Honey fumes? Honey fercryingoutloud! Could you imagine the hysteria if it had been peanut butter?
A great way to get the rest of the day off.
"I sneefed dees water bottle and dee water fumes made me deezy. I need to go to hopickle!"