|
Updated: 9:48 PM Apr 6, 2010
Experts Breakdown Methane Gas
What is methane gas, how is it generated in a coal mine and what's the effect on the human body? We spoke with a local geologist and a doctor who broke it all down.
Posted: 7:38 PM Apr 6, 2010Reporter: Carrie Cline Email Address: carrie.cline@wsaz.com |
|
4 Comments 
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- We know the Raleigh County mining tragedy was started by an underground explosion blamed on methane gas.
What exactly is methane gas, how is it generated in a coal mine and what's the effect on the human body?
We spoke with Dr. Ron Martino, a geology professor at Marshall University, who broke it all down.
"Methane gas occurs naturally as peat moss is compressed by a couple of miles of land to form coal," Martino said. "When the coal is mined, cracks are formed that release the gas into the air. Most mines have giant fans in place to pull that methane out of the top or the sides of the hill where the mining is taking place. But, if that ventilation doesn’t happen properly, that gas can be concentrated and become toxic."
Dr. Brad Nine, an emergency room physician with St. Mary's Medical Center in Huntington, said, "Methane gas, if inhaled in toxic levels, can replace the oxygen in the body causing lethargy, heart palpitations, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, disorientation and eventually causing one to go into a coma."
Finally, how is methane ignited? While it's highly explosive in large amounts, it must still have a spark to blow. That could come in any number of ways -- Martino says metal on metal perhaps from the rail cars rolling through on the track or even metal from machinery scraping against the rock on the walls could be possibilities.
From there, Nine says if the impact or flames from the explosion don't do harm, the next breaths of air afterward would.
Both experts have strong connections with coal mining. Martino also works with the West Virginia Geologic and Economic Survey-Coal Division.
Nine was was best friends with Terry Helms, one of the miners killed in the Sago Mine disaster.
Latest Comments
Methane is the same as natural gas. Seems to me they could condense it, pipe it out and sell it for natural gas purposes. Especially with the amount that they is trapped in the abandoned mine shafts around the Upper big branch mine.
I'M SURE THE FAMILIES KNEW THIS ALREADY THIS IS FOR THE PEOPLE WHO DO NOT KNOW WHAT IT WILL DO.
I am really sorry not to agree but what if, if only we, as THE family of the ones lost wouldve known the dangers..??Would we have let our loved ones go to work in danger? I would think not!! I, myself, am the wife of an employee of CAMC but yet we know if the dangers of our loved ones working at a MAJOR hospital but yet our loved ones can't , or will not be told of the dangers of OUR coalminers!!! Come on!! God Bless OUR COALMINERS! Every single one !!!
|
|
|
Popular Searches Powered by Local.com |
- UPDATE: Two More Arrests in Parking Lot Armed Robbery
- Three Aging W.Va. Power Plants Closing
- Convicted Sex Offender Wanted
- IRS Warns to Expect Some Refund Delays
- NASCAR Racer Visits Charleston
- UPDATE: Man Charged in Violent Armed Robbery at Huntington Bar
- St. Albans Man Arrested in Large Drug Bust
- Business Destroyed by Fire in Logan County
- UPDATE: Man Dies in Early Morning Fire in McArthur, Ohio
- Metheny Still Missing
- UPDATE: Vigil for Missing 3-Year-Old Girl
430 Comments - UPDATE: New Chief Deputy in Mason County Releases Department Mission Statement
148 Comments - UPDATE: Mother Awaiting Sentence Faces More Trouble
61 Comments - UPDATE: Some Questions Remain Unanswered in Deadly CO Leak
48 Comments - UPDATE: Man Accused of Victimizing Elderly Found Guilty of Kidnapping; Victim Dies
40 Comments - UPDATE: Two More Arrests in Parking Lot Armed Robbery
24 Comments
- Same-sex marriage OK'd in Washington
- Embattled LA school reopens
- Mississippi pardons to be challenged at court hearing
- Authorites probe 911 response to Josh Powell's home
- Resolution to N. Dakota school nickname dispute still seems far off
- Official: Suspect in 'South Park' threats to plead guilty
- Rutgers student's suicide shouldn't define him, brother says
- University of Florida suspends fraternity for 'physical hazing incident'
- Victim in Atlanta video beating to speak out
- The deadly path to legal status
- Deep freeze puts strain on Ukrainian EMS
- Spy agency called before Pakistani high court
- Court suspends Spain's most famous judge
- Deposed president faces arrest in the Maldives
- Greek leaders ready to back austerity deal
- More than 700 suffer food poisoning after Mexico rally
- Officials: Drone strike kills 4 in Pakistan
- Asylum or 'medical leave' for Chinese crime buster?
- UK: 'No negotiations' on Falklands
- Who is Anonymous?
- Band camp, other clubs suspended
- Champion remembered at event
- More members accused of hazing
- Sandusky urged to stay inside
- Words matter in Penn State case
- Out-of-county jury for Sandusky?
- 4th accuser drops abuse allegations
- Accuser pleads guilty to child sex
- Attorney: Victims to sue university
- Miss. high court considers pardons
- Live Blog: Tiger Woods at Pebble Beach Pro-AM
- Pebble Beach Pro-Am Round 1 scores
- Don Banks: Biggest offseason questions in the NFL
- Seth Davis: Eustachy's second chance could lead Southern Miss to NCAAs
- Rivers, Duke sink Tar Heels at buzzer
- Leafs, Wings set for '13 Winter Classic
- Report: Manning still unable to make most throws
- Syracuse earns OT win vs. Hoyas
- Memphis joining Big East in 2013
- Lin dazzles again as Knicks win
 |
SOMC
Very good things are happening here. Click here to learn more |
 |
Click here for school closings and delays |
 |
Watch the Lottery Live Monday - Saturday @ 6:59pm on WSAZ NewsChannel 3. Need to check your numbers? Click here. |
 |
Watch the Ohio Lottery Drawings weeknights @ 7:29pm and Cash Explosion Saturday @ 7:30pm on WSAZ NewsChannel 3. |
 |
Click here to donate and help WSAZ help children at risk in our region. Thank you. |
 |
Click here to see how our partners are making Moms and women's lives easier. |
