October 31, 2003

"Families of two deceased miners file suit against Neutronics, Inc and Biomarine, Inc targeting breathing devices."
Associated Press
October 25, 2003

Neutronics/Biomarine is sympathetic to the families of the two mine rescue team members that lost their lives in a tragic accident at the Barrick Goldstrike Storm Decline on October 17, 2002. Neutronics/Biomarine emphatically rejects the AP wire story that suggests the breathing apparatus was responsible in any way for these unfortunate deaths.

On June 6, 2003 the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) issued a report and clearly identified the causal factors in the accident. Quoting from the MSHA report, "The risk assessment process, conducted by Barrick’s management, prior to sending the mine rescue team to conduct an exploration of the inactive Storm Decline was inadequate." Next, "The apparatus manufacturer’s User Instruction Procedures were not followed while readying the self-contained breathing apparatus in that the frozen Gel-Paks/Gel-Tubes were not installed in the apparatus’ coolant canisters worn by Milligan and Spring." And finally, "Communication between the rescue team underground and the surface was inadequate." MSHA also identified that "It was determined through interviews that some miners did not install their frozen Gel-Paks/Gel-Tubes in their apparatus during prior underground training as required." Furthermore MSHA said, "The apparatus manufacturer’s User Instruction Procedures were not followed in that both victims had failed to shave off their goatees prior to wearing the self-contained breathing apparatus." The MSHA facts make it clear that the accident was not related to equipment failure but to human error.

The Neutronics/Biomarine BioPak 240 series breathing apparatus has been in service since 1988. History shows that since its inception there has not been one reported case of a NIOSH/MSHA approved and properly maintained BioPak 240 breathing apparatus causing serious injury or death to any miner. Thousands of BioPak 240 series breathing apparatus are fielded in Mine Rescue Stations worldwide, in the United States military, fire departments, and various commercial and municipal first responders.

Neutronics/Biomarine remains resolute in its ability to provide safe and reliable breathing apparatus to it customers.

The entire MSHA report can be accessed from the Neutronics/Biomarine web site at http://www.neutronicsinc.com/biomarine/biomarine.html as well as the official MSHA US Government site at www.msha.gov. It can also be found on the United States Mine Rescue Association site at www.usmra.com.