Nine times unlucky

HOECHST, the German chemical company, continues to be plagued by accidents with the ninth so far since February 22 (See Down To Earth, April 30, 1993) consisting of toxic fumes that leaked from the main plant near Frankfurt. Neighbourhood residents, facing a danger from spreading fumes were asked to remain indoors.

Hoechst spokesperson Hartmut Hennen says the gas, consisting of corrosive concentrated sulphuric acid, is irritating to the throat. Hennen could not say how the leak was caused nor how much gas leaked.