The cause of death of a Portage County farmer last month has been confirmed as acute exposure to hydrogen sulfide gas.
Michael Biadasz died back on August 15th shortly after stirring his family farm’s manure holding tank. Portage County Coroner Scott Rifleman cleared up the bizarre circumstances, saying that the calm winds, clear skies, and fog on the ground created the exact temperature conditions for the concentrated gas to stay in place and overcome Biadasz, killing him.
University of Wisconsin Extension scientists and a safety specialist helped with the county’s investigation. The Biadasz family has started a memorial fund to put towards research to prevent deaths like this one from occurring in the future.
WSAU