SAT OCT 11 2008 — A bomb went off late Saturday about 50 kilometers (31 miles) east of Dawson Creek, British Columbia near the border between Alberta and British Columbia. The explosion left a crater nearly two meters (seven feet) deep, and damaged pipe insulation, but did not break the pipeline. The damage was discovered by a hunter on Sunday.
The incident is being investigated as sabotage, according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. A local news outlet received a “suspicious” letter on Oct. 10, telling gas and oil companies to leave the area.
The pipeline carries sour gas, a form of natural gas that contains hydrogen sulfide, a toxic, dangerous and smelly substance that is removed through a treatment process at the gas plant. Hydrogen sulfide occurs naturally and is also produced by human activities. Just a few breaths of air containing high levels of hydrogen sulfide gas can be fatal. Lower, longer-term exposure of hydrogen sulfide can cause eye irritation, headache, and fatigue.
More information …
Agency for Toxic Substance & Disease Registry (ATSDR): ToxFAQs™ for Hydrogen Sulfide
Encana (Official Site)
SOURCES:
Bloomberg.com: Canadian Police Probe EnCana Gas Pipeline Bomb Blast – Oct. 15, 2008
Globeandmail.com: RCMP terror squad probes gas pipeline explosion