Metro police have begun to require all passengers with luggage to open their bags for a security check when passing through ticket turnstiles to prevent hazardous material from being taken onto subway trains.

Passengers with a large quantity of flammable materials such as gasoline, oil paint and glue will be told to leave the Metro station and take other non-public transportation.

The move is to ensure security with the Beijing Olympics approaching in August, a Shanghai Metro Operation Co Ltd employee told Shanghai Daily via telephone this morning.

She said it is still unclear how long the measure will be enforced.

Hydrogen balloons have also been listed as a hazardous material, a Youth Daily report said today.

Police found more than 70 cases of people trying to take hazardous materials on subway trains yesterday, Youth Daily said.

The police also used sniffer dogs in some stations, the report added.

Most of the dogs are very tame and will never attack passengers, the report said, citing a police officer.

Most passengers said they supported the measure even though it is inconvenient, the report said.

The report added most passengers with luggage at People's Square Station opened their bags without a fuss.

(Shanghai Daily April 16, 2008)