Sixteen people were hospitalised for exposure to poisonous gasses in a leak Wednesday at a former chemical plant in Slovakia's capital Bratislava, the police said.

"Fifteen people suffered light injuries and one was injured more seriously. All of them were taken to hospital," Boris Chmel, spokesman for the emergency services, told AFP.

The styrene and sulphur dioxide leak occurred at a firm making car air-conditioning systems, which operated on the premises of the former chemicals plant, local media reported.

Sulphur dioxide is a toxic gas, a key contributor to so-called acid rain.

Both chemicals in question may cause breathing problems and possibly, cancer.