What is a canary used for in mining?

Answer by  whoareyou (3483)

It's actually kind of sad. There where many risks in mining, one of the major ones being all the different highly poisonous gas pockets and toxins that can suddenly be exposed. They eventually figured out that canaries where actually super sensitive to these poisons, and would drop dead first, giving the men a little time to get out alive.

Answer by  vadrfan99 (71)

Canarys are sometimes used in mines to detect the amount of oxygen or breathable air. So, if a canary passes out ot dies, the miners know it's not safe.

Answer by  mmloomis (107)

Mines are confined spaces that if not properly vented can mean that oxygen levels aren't adequate for humans or that their might be toxic levels of gas in the area. Canaries are used so that if they die, then the miners know to evacuate.

Answer by  TeresaE (381)

Canary birds were used by miners to test how safe the mine was, mainly to see if there was any gases leaking out. The bird would be sent down on a string and if it died then they knew to not go down.