DRIVEN OUT BY GAS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 13, 15 July 1939, Page 25

DRIVEN OUT BY GAS

PATRONS IN RESTAURANT

SULPHUR DIOXIDE DESCENDS

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, July 13.

Sulphurous fumes of pungent gas drove people from a city restaurant this morning. Coughing and choking, wiping streaming eyes, they rushed out on to the pavement, where fresh air gave speedy relief. Nevertheless, an hour after the occurrence there were complaints of chest constriction and smarting of eyes.

The "attack" occurred soon after 10 o'clock, when the restaurant was filled with about 50 people taking morning tea.

Without warning the gas made its presence felt, and there was an exodus reminiscent of scenes at A.R.P. rehearsals.

The gas was sulphur dioxide, a colourless gas of pungent, suffocating odour, which may be produced by the burning of sulphur. It came from a workshop above the restaurant, where repairs were being made to a faulty cylinder valve. Being heavier than air, the gas percolated through the floor to the crowded room below.

The manager of the workshop stated that sulphur dioxide was not considered a dangerous gas, being used to a considerable extent for refrigerating purposes. Small quantities could have no ill-effect. In fact, he added, a whiff was good for a cold, because of its pungent nature. Large quantities, however, would soon produce unconsciousness if released in a confir^d space. The manager ■ said that tae gas was stored in a large cylinder, which ,'was equipped with an escape valve, leading to the roof of the building. When there was excess pressure quantities of the gas were released. Under normal conditions the gas speedily dispersed.