SA teen Paddy Ryan’s death after inhaling LPG gas prompts new law

Later this year, BBQ gas bottles across Australia will carry labels warning of inhalation after an SA teen died earlier this year. The industry move was announced several hours before SA parliament was expected to progress Australian-first laws mandating such labelling.

Paddy Ryan died in February 2020 after inhaling propane gas from a BBQ cylinder. Picture: Supplied

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Barbecue gas cylinder exchange suppliers and distributors across Australia will voluntarily modify warning labels to improve safety after the death of Port Lincoln teenager Paddy Ryan.

The new industry-wide agreement was revealed on Wednesday as State Parliament prepares to advance proposed Australian-first laws mandating warning labels of injury and death from inhalation on barbecue gas cylinders in SA.

Paddy, 16, died suddenly after inhaling liquefied petroleum gas from a 9kg barbecue gas cylinder at a house party in February 2020.

Gas Energy Australia chief executive John Griffiths said its suppliers and distributors had this week agreed the permanent labels on exchange barbecue gas cylinders across Australia would include consistent warning of the dangers of inhalation.

“We were looking at more uniform warning labels before but the focus on this case in SA has accelerated the industry’s determination to do something about it,” Mr Griffiths said. The industry estimates there are nine million barbecue gas cylinders in Australia.

Port Lincoln father Adrian Ryan at Fishery Bay, where his son Paddy was learning to surf before his death by Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome. Picture Robert Lang

Half of these are exchanged for pre-filled cylinders and the other half are refilled at gas supply outlets.

None require warnings against inhalation under the globally harmonised system of classification and labelling of chemicals through which Australia is regulated.

Mr Griffiths said some members had already added “do not inhale contents” on warning labels but that a consistent approach was now preferred. The new labelling is expected to roll out later this year.

Paddy’s father Adrian Ryan has repeatedly called for mandatory warning labels.

Mr Ryan said that while he welcomed the industry move, he said the size, position and wording of the warning was critical to safety improvement, as was compulsory labelling.

Paddy’s Law was introduced to Parliament last month by SA Best MLC Connie Bonaros to ban the sale of LPG bottles in SA unless the cylinder had a label warning that inhalation may cause injury or death. The Bill is expected to be passed in the Upper House later this month with the support of the Greens and Opposition but not the State Government.

Once passed, it will need the support of the Lower House before being made law.

Treasurer Rob Lucas said it did not make sense mandating labels in SA as the cylinders were transported cross-country.

He said mandate labelling was unnecessary now due to the voluntary industry measure and the 2021 introduction of a new check valve on gas cylinders that would significantly improve safety.