Silage-making season is here, and with it comes the need for heightened safety awareness.
According to the Keith Bolsen Silage Safety Foundation, there are many types of gases produced by silage, some of which can be dangerous.
Nitrogen dioxide is a potentially toxic gas produced during silo filling and ensiling. It is a reddish-orange to yellowish-brown, heavier-than-air gas that smells like laundry bleach. It may be encountered in bunker, pile, or upright silos, as well as feed rooms, livestock housing, or open lots.
Inhaling nitrogen dioxide can cause permanent lung damage and sudden death. It is most likely to accumulate in the first 24 to 72 hours after silage is made, but can persist for up to 3 weeks. Leave the area immediately if you see or smell the evidence of nitrogen dioxide.
Carbon dioxide can build to lethal levels in upright silos. If at all possible, stay out of tower silos for 3 weeks after filling.
If it is necessary to enter the silo, ventilate the area in advance by running the forage blower for 15 to 20 minutes with the door closest to the top of the silo open. Always wear a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) when entering. Common dust masks or chemical cartridge respirators will NOT provide enough protection from carbon dioxide. Also wear a safety harness and a lifeline with another person monitoring on the outside.
If you have a cough or sore throat after working with silage, visit a doctor or emergency room immediately and tell them you have been potentially exposed to silo gas. Lung irritation and fluid build-up in the lungs also can be fatal, or cause serious, permanent lung damage.
Livestock also can be overcome by silo gases, so housing areas should be well-ventilated to avoid gas build-up.
