Carbon Dioxide in Mine Air

Deadly concentrations of toxic gases may be as high as 1000 parts per million (ppm).

In a mine, normal operating conditions always ensure that gases are safe for inhalation.

The first priority for miners during a mine fire is to extinguish the fire as quickly as possible.

Toxic gases are only emitted during emergencies such as fires, not during normal mine operation.

For many people, 1 ppm is easy to visualize and is equivalent to the national debt.

Acetylene cylinders can be safely stored and transported at a pressure of 100 kPa (15 psi).

Ammonia has an explosive range of 1%–50%.

Carbon Dioxide is a flammable gas.

High temperatures with low humidity are dangerous due to the blistering effect of heat.

Acetylene forms an explosive compound with copper and alloys containing more than 67% copper.

Ammonia's corrosive qualities may cause distress but will not result in rapid death due to suffocation or oedema in the lungs.

One ppm is equivalent to 1 gram per 1,000 kilograms?

The STEL is a separate independent exposure limit?

The Median Lethal Concentration (LC 50) refers to the dose of a toxic substance that would be fatal for 50% of a test population?

The Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) refers to the maximum concentration of a gas that will ignite when exposed to an ignition source?

Pure water has a pH of 7, indicating it is acidic?

Air is a mixture of several gases that can only be compressed to a liquid but not frozen to a solid?

Hydrogen cyanide can be absorbed only through inhalation, and not through the skin.

Hydrogen sulphide has a distinctive rotten-egg smell in both low and high concentrations.

MAPP gas is extremely unstable and unsafe to use.

Methane is heavier than air and has an explosive range of 5%–15%.

Nitrogen itself has physiological effects on humans.

Nitrogen dioxide causes immediate throat irritation at 200–700 PPM (Parts Per Million).

Carbon dioxide is lighter than air.

Carbon monoxide has an explosive range of 12.5%–74%.

Chlorine is highly soluble in water and easily removed from the air by water sprays.

Hydrogen may cause an oxygen-deficient atmosphere resulting in asphyxiation.

Hydrogen cyanide can be detected by its distinctive odor of bitter almonds.

Carbon monoxide reduces the capacity of the haemoglobin for carrying oxygen to the tissues.

Propane is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas.

Propane has an explosive range of 2.4%–9.5%.

Sulphur Dioxide has a strong sweet smell.

Sulphur Dioxide is soluble in water.

Exposure to high concentrations of Sulphur Dioxide can cause mild irritation to eyes, nose, and throat.

Carbon monoxide is always present at the time of a fire and gives little or no warning of its presence.

Methane is produced by mine fires or explosions.

Sulphur Dioxide gives advance warning in low concentrations when present during a fire in a sulphide ore body.

Polyvinylchloride (PVC)-covered belting gives off sulfur dioxide when heated.

Radon is a naturally occurring element released into the mine’s atmosphere.