Smell drifts over from factory leak in France (From Croydon Guardian)

Smell drifts over from factory leak in France to parts of Surrey and Croydon

2:30pm Tuesday 22nd January 2013 in News By Alice Foster, Reporter

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has confirmed that a nauseating smell drifting across Surrey comes from France.

The stink, which is similar to rotten eggs, has been noticed by people in some parts of Surrey as well as in Kent, East and West Sussex.

The chemical, which is added to odourless natural gas for safety reasons, blew across the Channel overnight after a factory leak in Rouen yesterday.

But the HPA has confirmed that it poses no risk to public health.

The HPA said: "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."

Epsom council received a phone call today about the smell and put out reassurances on Twitter to say it was not a danger to the public.

A HPA spokeswoman said there had also been some reports from Croydon.

Can you smell the odour? Leave a comment below or contact the newsdesk 020 8722 6337.