Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting the presence of an organic fluid has a pair of strips of fabric-like material joined together at one end in overlapping fashion by a bond formed from an organic fluid imbibing material sorbed into the common ends of the strip. The imbibing material is a latex polymer such as tertiary-alkylstyrenes. When the organic fluid contacts the bonded joint the imbibing material softens. A tensile force may be applied across the bonded joint by a resilient member which may be connected to mechanism for actuating electrical circuitry to signal the disjoining of the strips when the joint is softened sufficiently by the presence of the organic fluid.