Nitrous fume poisoning in coal-miners

Soon after the introduction of a new type of explosive in the North Staffordshire coal field, a number of coal miners were seen with acute pulmonary oedema (Kennedy, 1960). These and other coal miners who gave a history of excessive exposure to fumes from shotfiring over a number of years, were followed up between 1960 and 1970. It would appear that both acute and chronic illness may result from excessive exposure to fumes from shotfiring. Short, heavy exposures to fumes may result in acute chest illness from which there may be full recovery. However, exposure to fumes over months or years appears to be associated with the development of an emphysema-like condition. Many of the miners who developed acute pulmonary oedema or severe acute chest illnesses also had prolonged exposure to fumes and later developed emphysema (Kennedy), 1970a, 1970b, 1972).