Gas levels not tested before men's deaths

Devices to test hydrogen sulphide levels in thermal water could have been used to check pools linked to the deaths of two elderly men in Rotorua.
An inquest into the deaths at different motels, in November 2007 and April 2008, has heard that the devices, costing up to $300, can be used to warn pool owners of dangerously high levels of hydrogen sulphide gas.
Levels change during the course of a day and can become dangerous if there is water movement, lack of ventilation or a new flow of thermal water into the pool, Rotorua District Council geothermal inspector Peter Brownbridge told the inquest.
Coroner Wallace Bain began an inquest yesterday into the deaths of Phillip Stanley Binns and Philip John Ham.
Mr Binns, a 77-year-old from Nelson, died after bathing in a hot pool at Pineland Motor Lodge on November 11, 2007.
He and his wife Dorothy arrived in Rotorua earlier in the day, stopping over on their way to visit a daughter in Hamilton.
Mr Ham, an 88-year-old from Takapuna, died in a hot pool at the Fernleaf Motel on April 14, 2008.
He and his daughter, Yvonne Fleming, came to Rotorua regularly so he could soak in the hot pools to relieve pain he suffered from a broken hip.
Families for both men were at the the inquest - coming from Nelson and Auckland to seek answers about the deaths of their loved ones.
They were supported by Charlotte Paul, who flew up from Dunedin. Her sister, Joanna Paul, an artist from Wanganui, is believed to have died from hydrogen sulphide poisoning while bathing at Rotorua's Polynesian Spa, on May 27, 2003.
Giving evidence yesterday, Mr Brownbridge said that at the time of the deaths there was no formal testing regime in place by the council.
The Department of Labour was responsible for inspections of commercial mineral pools.
Mr Brownbridge said that at times both the council and the department turned up to test pools at motels.
"This led to some criticism by pool owners so, while OSH was undertaking the testing, council took a step back," he said.
However, the council has used hand-held portable devices to test hydrogen sulphide levels in pools and keeps a supply of them motel owners can buy.
When asked by Dr Bain about the cost of the devices, Mr Brownbridge said they were relatively cheap, costing between $315 and $375.
"Unless a pool was tested beforehand [bathing in it], it could not be certain it was safe," he told the coroner.
Readings in a pool can differ, depending on the time of the day.
Tests done in the pools on the days the men died showed the hydrogen sulphide levels were not high, he said.
"In my opinion, the readings recorded are not sufficient to cause an adverse health reaction," he said.
Both motels had a gas seeping device fitted to the pools.
Under the Rotorua District Council Geothermal Safety Bylaw 2008, motel owners are required to have their pools tested every six months.
Council regulatory and support services manager Jim Nicklin told the inquest hydrogen sulphide was not present in all parts of the Rotorua geothermal field, with no levels ever recorded at Whakarewarewa, Soda Springs Butcher's Pool, Waikite Valley and Kerosene Creek.
At the time of the deaths, there were 53 mineral pools on 30 commercial properties in the city and the Geothermal Safety Bylaw 1988 was in force. On August 1, 2008 it was superseded by the new bylaw.
As a result, 37 commercial mineral pools were tested, seven failing to meet standards in terms of hydrogen sulphide levels.
 The inquest is to continue until Friday. Managers of the two motels were to give evidence today.