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The Effects of Propane Exposure

Access to information regarding the health risks of some of the chemicals and products used in daily life has increased in recent years with the explosion of online resources and reporting. With Propane 101 reporting approximately 14 million residential propane users in the United States alone, it is natural for there to be curiosity regarding the effects of propane exposure.

  1. What is Propane?

    • Propane is a flammable, odorless gas. It is heavier than the air in the atmosphere and can be converted into a liquid form under pressure. Propane is produced as a byproduct of the refining process of oil and natural gas. The liquid form of propane is more easily transportable. It is typically delivered to end users in this form by bobtails, which are trucks that have large tanks of propane on them.

    Uses

    • Propane use is both widespread and varied, contributing to the possibility of propane exposure. Residential uses include heating (both water and living spaces), cooking, and even clothes dryers. Commercial usage may include refrigeration, heating, cooking, and lighting. Industrial uses may include cutting, annealing, heating, and plastic production. Recreational uses include grilling, hot tubs, and in RVs. Propane can also be used as an automobile fuel and is a common fuel for city buses.

    Exposure

    • The two most likely ways of being exposed to propane is through a leak in the home or by accidental exposure to liquid propane. In the event of a propane leak in an enclosed space, there is a significant risk that the propane will accumulate. Because the propane is heavier than regular air, it will begin to displace the oxygen in the room. Exposure to liquid propane could occur if there were a valve failure on a propane tank, such as those used on grills.

    Effects

    • Propane is largely non-toxic and in gas form, at low levels of exposure, does not render any effects. The risk with the gas comes at high levels of exposure where the propane has displaced enough oxygen to cause asphyxia. Asphyxia is where the body cannot acquire enough oxygen. Symptoms include difficulty breathing, emotional disturbance, diminished motor function, unconsciousness and, if untreated, death. In liquid form, the risk is that exposure will cause frostbite on exposed tissues, such as skin.

    Considerations

    • As any odorless gas with potentially harmful effects is inherently dangerous, propane companies act to avoid accidental overexposure by adding ethanethiol to propane to give it an unpleasant smell. This helps people identify when propane is leaking and to act accordingly. The Florida Propane Gas Safety, Education and Research Council recommends actions for when a gas leak is detected: put out any open flames, close the vapor service valve on your tank, and contact a technician to address the leak.

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