Whitedamp
Encyclopedia
Whitedamp is a noxious mixture of gases formed by the combustion
of coal, usually in an enclosed environment such as a coal mine. The most toxic constituents are carbon monoxide
and hydrogen sulfide
. Coal frequently starts to burn slowly in mines when it is exposed to the atmosphere
.
, who succumb much more quickly than humans.
However, there are gas detector
s available now which detect toxic gases at very low levels. The levels of gas detection depend on the methods used.
Combustion
Combustion or burning is the sequence of exothermic chemical reactions between a fuel and an oxidant accompanied by the production of heat and conversion of chemical species. The release of heat can result in the production of light in the form of either glowing or a flame...
of coal, usually in an enclosed environment such as a coal mine. The most toxic constituents are carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide , also called carbonous oxide, is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that is slightly lighter than air. It is highly toxic to humans and animals in higher quantities, although it is also produced in normal animal metabolism in low quantities, and is thought to have some normal...
and hydrogen sulfide
Hydrogen sulfide
Hydrogen sulfide is the chemical compound with the formula . It is a colorless, very poisonous, flammable gas with the characteristic foul odor of expired eggs perceptible at concentrations as low as 0.00047 parts per million...
. Coal frequently starts to burn slowly in mines when it is exposed to the atmosphere
Atmosphere
An atmosphere is a layer of gases that may surround a material body of sufficient mass, and that is held in place by the gravity of the body. An atmosphere may be retained for a longer duration, if the gravity is high and the atmosphere's temperature is low...
.
Detection
Traditionally, whitedamp was detected by its effect on canariesDomestic Canary
The Domestic Canary, often simply known as the canary, is a domesticated form of the wild Canary, a small songbird in the finch family originating from the Macaronesian Islands ....
, who succumb much more quickly than humans.
However, there are gas detector
Gas detector
A gas detector is a device which detects the presence of various gases within an area, usually as part of a safety system. This type of equipment is used to detect a gas leak and interface with a control system so a process can be automatically shut down...
s available now which detect toxic gases at very low levels. The levels of gas detection depend on the methods used.