Mine ventilation pressures potential medical problems

Changes in ambient pressure may have effects on gas-containing cavities within the body, such as the lungs, ears and nasal sinuses. Small pressure changes are a feature of work in aircraft and submarines, while much greater changes occur in diving and underwater construction. Small changes occur in underground mining in relation to depth and to the pressures required to ventilate workings.We have reviewed the literature relating to the health effects of changes in pressure of the order likely to occur in mining. We conclude that such changes as at present envisaged are unlikely to present any hazard in terms of decompression sickness or pneumothorax but could cause painful effects on the ear and sinuses, especially in men suffering from colds or nasal allergies. We thus recommend that the maximum pressure change across an airlock should not exceed 10 kPa (c 40 in of water). If higher pressure changes than this are desired in the future a system would need to be devised to ensure that those men passing through a series of such airlocks had been able to achieve equalisation of pressures within their ears before moving to the next airlock.