Toxic gas stolen from Wisconsin business; police put out national alert

KENOSHA, Wis. - Six tanks of toxic gas disappeared from a company about 40 miles north of Chicago, prompting police to issue a national warning. <br> <br> The tanks contain argon and nitric oxide, typically used by welders, officials said. The gas can be deadly in small amounts and would certainly kill anyone who inhaled from one of the tanks thinking it was nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, officials said. <br> <br> The gas was reported missing on Tuesday, and the tanks still hadn&#39;t been found Wednesday, police detective Tom Glassman said. He said police were following seven or eight possible leads. <br> <br> &#34;Perhaps we are overreacting, but in today&#39;s day and age I&#39;m not sure that&#39;s possible,&#34; Police Chief Daniel Wade said. <br> <br> The tanks, each 5 1/2 feet tall, are labeled &#34;nitric oxide&#34; and &#34;AGA Gas Inc.&#34; Police believe someone loaded the 175-pound tanks onto a truck or van earlier this week and drove off, possibly believing it was nitrous oxide and intending to use it as a party drug. <br> <br> Symptoms from exposure to the gas vary from burning in the eyes and nose to serious respiratory damage. <br> <br> <br>