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405 points Bogdanp | 2 comments | | HN request time: 0.001s | source
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eviks ◴[] No.45022151[source]
> The problem isn’t that one little bird has died. The problem is that the bird might be dead because the whole mine is filling with deadly carbon monoxide or highly flammable methane gas.

I don't get it, you've already been poisoned by those gases and can hardly breath, why do you need to look at dead birds for any signal?

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rkomorn ◴[] No.45022950[source]
I'm pretty sure the issue with carbon monoxide poisoning is that you don't actually feel it clearly enough and that it doesn't manifest as "can hardly breathe".

"Gases such as ammonia and chlorine are ir- ritating to the skin, eyes, and throat and have a very definite smell. CO, however, has no odor or other warning properties." [1]

1- https://www.msha.gov/sites/default/files/Alerts%20and%20Haza...

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1. eviks ◴[] No.45023943[source]
I'm pretty sure your own link is consistent

> Medium exposure... will produce ... and breathing difficulties.

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2. rkomorn ◴[] No.45024697[source]
I think the difference comes down to prolonged exposure to lower levels (eg medium exposure) vs short-term exposure to high levels.

The canary is for the latter scenario.

If the EPA says it can kill "in minutes" [1], then I'd be inclined to believe them over "you'll feel it if you're exposed to it for hours".

1- https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/protect-your-fami...