CANISTERS containing a chemical which produces a lethal gas if mixed with water are being washed up along the south and south east coasts, gardai have warned.
An Army spokesman said last night that the 17 inch long green cylinders contain "calcium fosfide". Some of the canisters examined this week by the Army Ordnance Corps have the same name in black lettering on the side.
The spokesman added that there is no indication yet of the source of the canisters. They are in good condition and could have fallen off a ship recently, he said.
Two of the canisters were found on the Cork coast yesterday.
The gas produced by the chemical can kill on reaching a density of only three parts per million in the air, according to Garda Headquarters.
The Garda warned that no one should touch any strange objects - found on the shore, but should contact the nearest Garda station immediately.
The warning follows the discovery of several green canisters on the southeast and south coasts in recent weeks. The toxic substance inside has been analysed and the Garda said it is not yet known if there is an antidote available for the lethal gas it produces.
The cylinders are of dark green metal, with a light green band around the middle. They are about 42cm (17 inches) long and 13cm (five inches) in diameter. Some of the canisters have been examined by Army bomb disposal experts, who sent a warning notice about them to the Garda yesterday.
An Army spokesman said last night that there was no easy way to open the canisters - they are sealed units with no opening lid. However, they could be broken or prised open with a screwdriver by someone unaware of the danger.
He said the canisters could be part of smoke bombs but might also have some other munitions use.
Last month, an orange container was washed up near Newcastle, Co Wicklow. Tests on the substance inside determined that it was not phosphorous, as feared, but solidified animal fat.
In recent years an estimated 2,000 dangerous objects have been washed up along the Irish and British coasts.