yesterday breathed in fumes from an unknown -- potentially toxic source -- and drove himself to hospital.

He was released following a checkup and chest X-rays.

Works Minister Leonard Gibbons last night told The Royal Gazette the Island Construction worker was repacking asbestos when he unpacked a container inside a 55-gallon drum.

The worker was wearing a mask that filters asbestos fibres but did not protect him from the unknown fumes.

Mr. Gibbons said the substance was liquid and alkaline in nature, measuring nine on the PH-scale. It has since been repacked by the hazardous waste team from the Department of Works and Engineering and brought to Sallyport at Dockyard for shipment to the US A sample has also been sent for analysis to the US.

"From what I understand it happened around 11 a.m.,'' Mr. Gibbons said. "The area was cordoned off and about four or five people who were in the area were sent to the hospital just to be safe.'' Work was stopped for the rest of the day but will resume on Monday after an assessment of the site.

"It was obviously a surprise to everyone that the drum was in there,'' he added.

The container was packed in the 1970s and could have contained virtually anything.

"If anything good has come from this it is that all our health and safety training kicked in immediately. The hazardous waste team swung into action.

You practise, you drill, and it's good to know it works,'' he said.

GOVERNMENT GVT HOSPITAL HOS