The suspected ammonia leak that killed three people in Fernie, B.C., has shone a spotlight on the chemical so often used as a cooling agent in Canadian arenas. As questions arise about the use of ammonia in Canadian arenas, some experts have stepped up to answer them:Is ammonia in common use? Giguere says ammonia has long been a popular cooling agent, with use in arenas dating back as far as 1915. Giguere said arenas can look to carbon dioxide or propane for other naturally occurring cooling agents. Safety protocolsJohn Milton, chief administrative officer with the Ontario Recreation Facilities Association, said the Fernie incident highlights the need for arena operators to be vigilant about safety protocols, particularly in older buildings.

Source: National Post October 18, 2017 19:52 UTC