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Gas cloud poses 'no risk'

Residents along the south coast are being reassured that a cloud that left a smell of gas in the air poses no risk. The cloud is believed to have come across from an accidental discharge from a factory in France.

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Gas cloud from France 'poses no risk'

The Health Protection Agency has released a statement about a gas cloud that has travelled across the channel from France. The gas and the resulting smell has been detected in areas across the South coast prompting calls to the emergency services.

"The smell drifting over Southern England today poses no risk to public health. The odour, which is similar to rotten eggs, has been noticed by people mainly in Kent, East and West Sussex and some parts of Surrey.

"It is caused by a particularly smelly chemical that is added to odourless natural gas to give that its characteristic smell.

" The chemical leaked from a factory in Rouen, France yesterday and has blown across the Channel overnight. It is not toxic and has also been diluted before entering the air over England, so people should be reassured it will cause no harm. It is an unpleasant odour which may cause some people to feel slightly nauseous but it will dispel naturally.

– Health Protection Agency - South East Region
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Gas cloud poses 'no risk'

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