Fiction. Propane is considered not toxic.
The experts at The Propane Education & Research Council have this to say regarding the toxicity of propane:
“Propane vapor is not toxic, but it is an asphyxiating gas. That means propane will displace the oxygen in your lungs, making it difficult or impossible to breathe if exposed to high concentrations. If you suspect you have inhaled a significant amount of propane, call 911. If you smell propane, or suspect a propane leak, call your propane supplier or 911 right away.”
“When people or animals come in contact with propane, it’s usually in its gaseous state, making inhalation the most common form of exposure. Because it replaces the oxygen in your lungs, the symptoms of propane inhalation are related to oxygen deprivation, and not to any toxicity of propane itself. Physical activity will actually make the symptoms worse.”
This is what MedlinePlus.gov, an official website of the United States government, has to report regarding displacing oxygen in your lungs:
“Breathing in or swallowing propane can be harmful. Propane takes the place of oxygen in the lungs. This makes breathing difficult or impossible.”
National Library of Medicine exposure to propane testing
The National Library of Medicine performed extensive testing on humans and animals regarding acute exposure to propane.
Following is their test and outcomes when humans were exposed to acute levels of propane:
“Caucasian volunteers (4-8 per group, males and females, 20-22 years of age) underwent single exposures to propane at 1,000 ppm for up to 10 min and at 250 or 500 ppm for up to 8 h (Stewart et al. 1977). In addition, some subjects were repeatedly exposed to propane at 1,000 ppm for 8 h/day for 9 days over 2 weeks. Exposure concentrations were continuously monitored. Clinical parameters (e.g., complete blood count, blood urea nitrogen, serum enzymes, urine analysis), adrenocortical function, neurological and neurobehavioral tests (a battery of cognitive tests, spontaneous electroencephalogram, and visual evoked response), pulmonary function (spirometry measurements), and cardiac responses (including electrocardiogram) were evaluated. No effects from propane on any of the parameters studied were found and no subjective responses were noted.” [Emphasis added by author.] You can read the entire study here.
The late Gary Bunzer, “The RV Doctor”, RVtravel.com’s foremost technical expert, had this to say regarding propane, “Although flammable, propane is a relatively safe commodity. With a little preventive maintenance and some common sense, it can be utilized without fear.”
Let’s close with these important reminders:
It’s important to note that while propane itself is not toxic, safety precautions must be taken when dealing with propane to prevent potential hazards. Leaking or improperly handled propane can pose fire and explosion risks. Proper installation, maintenance, and use of propane equipment, as well as regular safety checks and adherence to regulations, are essential to ensure safe and efficient use of this versatile fuel in your RV.
Test your knowledge some more with these previous Fact or Fiction questions:
- A propane furnace emits lots of moisture
- Your RV’s tank covers should never be removed
- If you see these on your RV, do not use it in winter!
- Outside temperatures can be too cold for an RV refrigerator to cool
- Never plug in with a 20-amp extension cord
- Doing THIS is the number one cause of RV fires on highways
- Propane gas has no odor
- New RV refrigerators are not designed to operate on propane above 5,500 ft altitude.
- RV tires tend to lose pressure at high altitudes
- Liquid propane expands 270 times when released into the atmosphere
- Deep-cycle lead acid batteries are designed to be discharged until almost empty
Now, some questions for you:
- Is there a recurring half-truth you keep seeing online that you would like to see addressed?
- Were you taught something by other RVers that turned out to be bad advice?
- Have you recently read something that left you wondering, is that true?
- Do you know something to be true, but none of your RVing friends believe you?
Please share your comments using the comment box below and we will do our best to provide the facts in a future Fact or Fiction entry.
##RVT1131
While propane by itself is not “toxic”, the odor producing Mercaptan that is added, is toxic. Low level toxicity but still toxic. Some sensitive individuals could have problems. Others according to dosage. What we RVers call propane includes mercaptan so it is toxic.
Chester, You raised an interesting point. I went back and looked at the sources I quoted and none of them state if the propane used in their studies had Mercaptan added or not. I also performed a search to see if odorized propane was considered toxic, but didn’t find where anyone has addressed it. I also found that Mercaptan occurs naturally in foods we eat like cheese, nuts, onions and other foods, no where could I find how much and any of those foods you would have to consume to be considered a “toxic” dose. Thanks for writing.
Well like most things the devil is in the details.
Dr Dave picked an interesting section of the medical research to share. Here is the summary statement from that very extensive review.
8.3. Data Quality and Research Needs
The database for propane is very poor. Significant human data are absent or performed with propane concentrations that appear to be too low to be relevant for the derivation of AEGLs. The study with human volunteers (Patty and Yant 1929) is rather dated and focused on a limited number of parameters to examine the warning properties of propane. The available case reports are inadequate to be used for any quantitative concentration-response evaluation
As a true/false question, this one was pretty much a trick question. Strictly speaking not toxic. But in the spirit of the intent of the word, if it can kill you, it’s toxic.
From the N.I.H.
“The toxicity of propane is low…”
Toxic is toxic, even if it’s low. I answered “no” because I’m getting used to questions worded in a “no win” way that don’t allow for degrees of accuracy.
Not what I would do first!! . “If you smell propane, or suspect a propane leak, call your propane supplier or 911 right away”. I’m sure most if not all would get out in the fresh air!
Snoopy
Dave – Agreed, that was the end of the quote from of all agencies. The Propane Education and Research Council. Yes, if you smell a leak, best to vacate the area / RV first and then call someone to check it out.
Imagine all the carcinogens you ingest when eating that steak you just torched on a propane grill. A better alternative is a portable pellet grill.
By this definition, even water is toxic. Breathe in enough of it, and….
Thank you, Dave! Sorry, no half-truths; almost all my rving info is gleaned from RV Travel. I did briefly think that dumping ice cibes into the black tank and then driving a while could clean the black tank. RV Travel has taught me that this does not work. 🙂
I’m in complete agreement with you Neal. Almost all of my info comes from RV Travel, as well as some of the commenters, such as yourself, that I have come to trust and rely on.