noun
- a mixture of gases (chiefly carbon dioxide and nitrogen) found in mines, formed by the decomposition of coal or other organic matter, that can cause asphyxiation
Usage: mining; historical; also called blackdamp
Examples
- Miners had to be careful of chokedamp accumulating in poorly ventilated shafts.
- The presence of chokedamp made deep mining operations extremely hazardous in the 19th century.
- Canaries were sometimes used to detect chokedamp before it could harm workers.
- Chokedamp differs from firedamp in that it does not ignite but rather suffocates.
- Proper ventilation systems were developed to reduce the risk of chokedamp poisoning.