Latest news with #hydrogensulphide
CTV News
02-07-2025
- General
- CTV News
Crews monitoring gas odour on Talbot Street in Wheatley
Gas is no longer being detected but crews remain on scene on Talbot Street in Wheatley. Fire crews were called to 35 Talbot Street on Tuesday evening after a member of the public reported a strong odour in the area. No evacuation was ordered and anyone affected by the incident was spoken to directly. Meanwhile, the Wheatley public library at that address is set to reopen this week after a gas leak last week at the rear of the property last week. Hydrogen sulphide wad detected at the back of the library and forced an evacuation in part of the town. Hydrogen sulphide is the same gas responsible for an August 2021 explosion where two buildings were destroyed and several others were damaged.
RNZ News
09-06-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
'Unsafe levels': Toxic gas concern closes events centre office
The office at Rotorua's Energy Events Centre is being monitored daily and the council's property team is checking gas levels on a 'regular basis'. Photo: Andrew Warner An office within Rotorua's Energy Events Centre has closed after "unsafe levels" of a toxic gas were detected. An agenda item for last week's Rotorua Lakes Council infrastructure and environment committee meeting detailed how levels of hydrogen sulphide "rose significantly" in the sales and finance office recently. The area was closed due to "unsafe levels", and an investigation was to begin to identify and provide longer-term remediation. The council provided more details after questions from Local Democracy Reporting. "A staff member detected and reported an unusual odour in an office and promptly reported it." A facilities manager then used a calibrated gas monitor to investigate and found an initial hydrogen sulphide reading of 30.6 parts per million (ppm) near the staff member's desk. "Subsequent tests showed levels fluctuating between 0-5 ppm, well below the serious harm threshold of 250-500 ppm," a spokesperson said. The incident did not meet the criteria for reporting it to WorkSafe, as it was addressed promptly upon reporting by staff. "Recent tests have shown safe levels and, as a precaution, the office will remain closed until [the] potential cause has been identified." The building was monitored daily and the council's property team monitored gas on a "regular basis". Investigations were continuing to identify the possible source of the initial elevated reading. WorkSafe's website describes hydrogen sulphide as a highly toxic, colourless gas that occurs in a variety of natural and industrial settings, including geothermal ones. The events centre is based at Sulphur Point, a geothermal hotspot. Impacts of exposure vary according to concentration. At low levels, hydrogen sulphide can irritate the eyes, nose and throat. Exposure to high levels may cause shortness of breath, lung damage or cardiac arrest. At less than 1ppm, most people smell something similar to rotten eggs. Between 20 and 150ppm, the nose and throat may feel dry and irritated. Eyes sting, itch or water, and "gas eye" symptoms (similar to mild conjunctivitis) may occur. Prolonged exposure may cause coughing, hoarseness, shortness of breath and a runny nose. Levels above 100ppm are "immediately dangerous to life and health". Levels above 500ppm cause immediate loss of consciousness. "Death is rapid, sometimes immediate." WorkSafe confirmed it had not been notified. - LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
