NextPrevious

What is a miner’s canary?

Fossil Fuels Read more from
Chapter Energy

Miner’s canary refers to the birds used by miners to test the purity of the air in the mines. At least three birds were taken by exploring parties, and the distress of any one bird was taken as an indication of carbon monoxide danger. Some miners used mice rather than birds. This method of safety was used prior to the more sophisticated equipment used today.