Coal mines were dangerous places to work. There was sometimes the presence of poisonous or explosive gas that threatened to harm the miners. One such gas was carbon monoxide which was difficult to detect because it was odourless and colourless. Miners needed an early warning system to help them detect the gas.
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Canaries, like other birds, are good early detectors of carbon monoxide because they’re vulnerable to airborne poisons. They need such immense quantities of oxygen to enable them to fly at height so they have extra air sacks in their bodies to help them do this. They take in much more oxygen and are likely to succumb to poison in the air quicker than humans so miners would get an earlier warning.
Miners placed canaries in special cages intended to resuscitate the bird after exposure to any poison gas.
Canaries were easily transportable animals that could have been carried in by the miners. In more modern times, carbon dioxide detectors were used instead of canaries.
Miners placed canaries in special cages intended to resuscitate the bird after exposure to any poison gas.
Canaries were easily transportable animals that could have been carried in by the miners. In more modern times, carbon dioxide detectors were used instead of canaries.