Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1920-08-19
VENTILATION IN
E.1ETAL Mines
An Economic Fault That Should
Be henedied, Says Federal
Engineer.
LIVES KID EFFICIENCY LOST
Ore Thoucand Die Annually From
Miners Con- umnt on, Chiefly Caused
by Oust-Tins Lest Aggregates
Nj - .ons OF Dol s.

Wnsl,in gton. lie deSjrihiiity Of
efficient colilrl of mir cure rs and
the necessity OF supplying n.r;a! IL he
workers. with le;;er and safer work
Ing conditions has cr'n'fh nn active
interest in Et,'.ii mine teEtIia, on. t.S-
peraliy In recent years. In pager
Just l.S.iad 10y she United States i,u-
IcHu of mine. ;hr writer, -. !.ari'ing-
ton. mining rng'Henf of The bureau,
discusses The Suhip both viii! re ard
to efficiency ard rrulInEiy us we'll rs
safety al Il health |, Is I.;'"rd on per-
sUnal observations of Nj" Harrington
during more dian ftur Years study
of metal mines in s'X Stn'p' 10 which
more than fifty snnts We're visited.
= In coal mines ventilation IL general
~ regarded. as e.;:ent nj. hgi IN many
metal mines. esprri'Ily similow ones.
he operators pay iiltie attention TO
cent laiion or ignore ii nlto.ethe
ays the writer Mr Harrington says:
Ventilation Necessary
"Thpre Is greater necessity for ade-
iuate ventilation of neral mines than
of coal mines. The latter require air
currents to remove explosive gases
and he fumes Of explosives, but metal
mrrS. IN addition to the need of re-
,nnring fulucs of explosives and occa-
-iurn'ly explosive gases, frequently
have need OF removing du3ts danger
ms Ia health. reduction of high tenn
peratureS and high humidity. and re-
nOynl of lucrt. but unhcalihful gases"
The main features affecting metal
.nne ventilation rs outlined in part
Nv Mr. Ilarrhlgton. are:
Movpncnt' OF Air-Ths involves eff
rccls Of air movement at various tenn
neratures. hunidities, and with GER
tain gases present. and the advisable
velocity of current to use.
Temporature-The temperature of
the air In n metal mine is influenced
by the outside air temperature. under
ground rock and water temperature.
oxidation. of ores and timbers, mine
fires. friction of air dEe to velocity OF
flow, movement of ground. firing OF
shots, quantity of air circulating, heat
from breathing of men and animals,
heated air from other mines heat from
electric motors and other machinery.
Humldity-The humidity OF mine air
depends on the relative humidity OF
surface air, wetness of shafts and
workings. the velocities, quantities.
and temperatures of the air circulated.
Where small fan units are employed
to force air through galvanized iron
or canvas tubing. these also affect the
humidity through absorption or depO-
sition of moisture.
Mine gases and dusts-The intake
air Is usually pure, except In rare in
stances where smoke or dust from sur
face works may be present. The air
in the mine changes through breathing
of men and animals. burning of lights
oxidation of ore or timber, gases issu-
ing from strata, gases from mine fires
fumes from explosives, gases from
compressed air. gases from operation
of machinery. dusts from drilling,
blasting, shoveling and other work.
Studied by Experts.
The writer says that the bureau Of
mines and the United States public
health service, in conjunction with the
investigation of mine dusts and gases,
are studying effects Of temperature
and humidity on workmen's health and
efficiency.
"Few mines having humid hot work
ing places with no circulation have es-
capped without one or more fatalities
from heart failure which Is really
heat prostration." says the writer, "yet
proper air circulation would make
these mines endurable.
"In some mines where gases such as
nitrogen or carbon dioxide issue from
~.the strata, fatalities and many cases
of gassing have occurred from made
quate ventilation the remedy is force
or pressure ventilation with constant
vigilance. Many lives have been lost
as well as much property, from fires
in metal mines because no ventilating
equipment arranged to control the air
currents i'm such an emergency had
been provided.
Miners consumption probably kills
at least 1000 metal miners annually
in the United States, and causes loss
of time aggregating millions of dol
lars; the misery and suffering to min
ers and their families cannot be esti-
mated. Yet the causes of this disease
could be reduced rs per cent, If not
wholly eliminated by proper preventive
measures on the part of operator and
miner, one of the most potent meas
ures, as previously mentioned, Is ade-
quate ventilation"