HC Deb 16 May 1939 vol 347 c1209W
Mr. J. Griffiths

asked the Secretary for Mines whether, before an explosive is placed on the permitted list for use in coal mines, consideration is given to the possible effect of the inhalation of the fumes of such explosive on the lungs of the miner; and whether any research work is being conducted into this problem?

Mr. Lloyd

The official tests for permitted explosives do not include a specific test of the gases evolved on firing but manufacturers are aware that explosives which are specially liable to evolve harmful gases will not pass the tests. The nature and concentration of the fumes from shotfiring in actual practice and the possibility of harmful effects on the lungs are among the matters that are being studied in the course of the investigations now in progress in South Wales under the Industrial Pulmonary Diseases Committee of the Medical Research Council.