For healthy adults, CO becomes toxic when it reaches a level higher than 50 ppm (parts per million) with continuous exposure over an eight hour period.. When the level of CO becomes higher than that, a person will suffer from symptoms of exposure. Mild exposure over a few hours (a CO level between 70 ppm and 100 ppm) include flu-like symptoms such as headaches, sore eyes and a runny nose. Medium exposure (a CO level between 150 ppm to 300 ppm) will produce dizziness, drowsiness and vomiting. Extreme exposure (a CO level of 400 ppm and higher) will result in unconsciousness, brain damage and death.
The issue in West Virginia is obviously due to violation of worker safety. The bore holes actually are venting large levels of toxic air quality. That doesn't even begin to address 'PARTICULATE' in air quality. The air quality surrounding the OUTSIDE of these mines are never safe. They always contain coal dust.
When the human brain receives less oxygen there is neural tissue damage. This form of 'energy' production is draconian and irresponsible of a civlized society.
The current missing workers need to be recovered and it is the obligation of the Massey company to make every effort to recover them. The tragedy of 'entombment' of these citizens only speaks to the inhumanity of the industry.
A 'mature' society takes on its problems and where that impacts 'jobs,' the society finds new meaning for that void and fills it.
