Afterdamp is a word that refers to the poisonous gases that remain in a mine after an explosion or fire. Although this term is widely used, there are several synonyms that can be employed to communicate the same meaning, including damp, choke damp, blackdamp, and stink damp. These words all refer to the deadly mix of carbon monoxide, nitrogen, and sulfur dioxide that can accumulate in mining tunnels after an incident. It's vital to understand these synonyms since it helps miners, rescue teams, and safety professionals to communicate effectively and take appropriate precautions when dealing with the hazardous environment of a mining incident.