equation of its decomposition:--

C_{6}H_{3}Cl(NO_{2})_{2} + 9HN_{4}NO_{3} = 6CO_{2} + 20N + HCl.

In appearance roburite is a brownish yellow powder, with the
characteristic smell of nitro-benzol. Its specific gravity is 1.40. The
Company's statement that the fumes of roburite were harmless having been
questioned by the miners of the Garswood Coal and Iron Works Colliery, a
scientific committee was appointed by the management and the men jointly
for the purpose of settling the question. The members of this committee
were Dr N. Hannah, Dr D.J. Mouncey, and Professor H.B. Dixon, F.R.S., of
Owens College. After a protracted investigation, a long and technical
report was issued, completely vindicating the innocuousness of roburite
when properly used. In the words of _The Iron and Coal Trades' Review_
(May 24, 1889), "The verdict, though not on every point in favour of the
use in all circumstances of roburite in coal mines, is yet of so
pronounced a character in its favour as an explosive that it is impossible
to resist the conclusion that the claims put forward on its behalf rest on
solid grounds."

Roburite was also one of the explosives investigated by the committee
appointed in September 1889 by the Durham Coalowners' and Miners'
Associations, for the purpose of determining whether the fumes produced by
certain explosives are injurious to health. Both owners and workmen were
represented on the committee, which elected Mr T. Bell, H.M. Inspector of
Mines, as its chairman, with Professor P.P. Bedson and Drs Drummond and
Hume as professional advisers. The problem considered was whether the
fumes produced by the combustion of certain explosives, one of which was
roburite, were injurious to health. The trial comprised the chemical
analysis of the air at the "intake," and of the vitiated air during the