MANURE GAS DANGERS Since the increased use of manure storage facilities in agriculture there have been numerous instances where a farmer, family member, or employee has been asphyxiated or succumbed to toxic gases. Cases have been documented where several individuals have died while attempting to rescue a coworker or family member from an underground pit or a spreader tank. What toxic gases are present around such stor age facilities? The four main gases produced from decomposing manure are Hy drogen Sulfide, Methane, Ammonia, and Carbon Dioxide. In high concentrations, each of these gases may pose a health threat to humans and livestock. In animal housing facilities, where the manure pi t is often located below the facility floor, manure gases are generally detectable in low c oncentrations throughout the year. When pits are agitated for pumping, some or all of these gas es are rapidly released from the manure and may reach toxic levels or displace oxygen, increasing the risk to humans and livestock. THE PRIMARY HAZARDS OF THESE GASES ARE: - Toxic or poisonous reactions in people or animals - Oxygen depletion resulting in asphyxiation - Explosions, which can occur when oxygen mixes with gases such as methane. CHARACTERISTICS OF HYDROGEN SULFIDE (H 2 S) Hydrogen sulfide is considered the most dangerous of the by-products of manure decomposition. It has a distinct rotten egg smell and is heavier than air. After breathing this gas for a short time, your sense of smell becomes fatigued and you can no longer detect an odor. At low concentrations H 2 S irritates the eyes and respirator y tract while at moderate levels exposure causes headache, nausea, and dizziness. At high concentrations, H 2 S paralyzes the nerve cells of the nose to the point wher e the person can no longer smell the gas. Both carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide are heavier than air and will tend to settle to the lower areas of the storage facility and remain in high concentrations even after ventilatio
Posted on: Fri, 20 Sep 2013 15:42:34 +0000
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