Thirty nine people were poisoned by carbon dioxide leaked out from fire-fighting equipment in the provincial library of southwest China's Yunnan Province on Saturday, according to local sources.

 

The accident occurred at about 11 AM on the third floor of the building when more than 600 people were reading or working in the library.

 

Thirty nine people, including ten readers and 29 staffs of the library, felt sick and weak in limbs. "Some young people even fainted," said an official with the culture department of Yunnan, but he failed to give the exact number.

 

Eight of the readers are middle school students.

 

The poisoned have been rushed to three local hospitals and are all said to be out of danger.

 

Thirty two have been discharged from hospital after treatment as of Saturday evening.

 

Cause of the accident is being investigated.

 

Carbon dioxide, which is commonly used in fire extinguishers, is an asphyxiant at high levels that could cause headaches, drowsiness and loss of ability to maintain concentration.

 

(Xinhua News Agency July 22, 2007)