The Flemish Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture has sent a new warning to Belgian breeders and livestock farmers about the deadly dangers of manure gases.
On Wednesday, a couple died from poisoning by manure gases in Ploegsteert. A technical defect in the ventilation system could be the cause of the accident. A single inhalation of some gases released from manure can be enough to cause death.
The pig farmer and his wife had been running a large pig farm for many years, VILT reports. They were working in the stables on Wednesday when a large amount of ammonia was suddenly released, possibly due to a technical defect in the ventilation.
Dangerous gases are released when working with liquid manure. Some gases are heavier than air, which causes them to linger in the manure pit beneath the grates, even if the hatch has been open for several days. Moreover, these gases are often odorless and/or colorless, making them difficult to detect. At high concentrations, hydrogen cyanide and hydrogen sulfide can be fatal after just one breath. In such cases, any help comes too late, and attempting to assist is life-threatening.
âTwo-thirds of the fatalities from manure gas accidents are helpers. Often, these are family members who find the victim, and in such cases, it is particularly difficult not to enter the pit, stable, or tank yourself. But donât do it; call for help instead of trying to assist yourself,â is one of the main pieces of advice from Robin De Sutter (Prevent Agri).
Additionally, knowledge of risk situations and understanding how gases form is important. Precautionary measures include sufficient ventilation (not just a few hours but at least a day), keeping a second person with knowledge and clear instructions nearby (who must not enter the area), and providing a source of independent breathing air, the advice states.
Other dangerous situations arise during the mixing or pumping of manure. Sometimes accumulated gases are suddenly released in a short time. Therefore, do not linger near the work area during such tasks, and keep cattle secured at a safe distance; they can pass out on the grates and block all fresh air supply, De Sutter points out.
He also notes that even a cleaned, closed manure pit contains gases. They are released from the pores of the concrete. The same applies to open manure silos because some gases are heavier than air and thus do not âdisperse.â Finally, according to VILT, biogas installations, septic tanks, and water wells are also dangerous.