Page "Mining" Paragraph 78

Gases in mines can poison the workers or displace the oxygen in the mine, causing asphyxiation.

For this reason, the Mine Safety and Health Administration requires that groups of miners in the United States carry gas detection equipment that can detect common gases, such as CO, O < sub > 2 </ sub >, H < sub > 2 </ sub > S, CH < sub > 4 </ sub >, as well as calculate % Lower Explosive Limit.

Regulation requires that all production stop if there is a concentrate of 1. 4 % of flammable gas present.

Additionally, further regulation is being requested for more gas detection as newer technology such as nanotechnology is introduced.