A styrene gas leak in Vishakapatnam, AP in the wee hours of Thursday, May 07 has killed atleast eight people and two hundred people have been hospitalised. Those exposed to the gas have complained of burning or itchy eyes, breathlessness and visuals show people fainting on the roads. These are signs of prolonged exposure to the gas. The leak reportedly happened as gas levels in 5000-tonne containers were not being monitored by those managing the LG Polymers plant in the city. So what is styrene gas and what precautions should one take if exposed to it?