Editing Propane (section)

== Hazards ==
Propane is a simple [[asphyxia]]nt.<ref name="cdc">{{cite web  |url=https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/idlh/74986.html|publisher=The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |title=Propane |access-date = 2016-05-12 | quote = Propane is a simple asphyxiant and does not present an IDLH hazard at concentrations below its lower explosive limit (LEL). The chosen IDLH is based on the LEL of 21,000 ppm rounded down to 20,000 ppm.}}</ref> Unlike [[natural gas]], it is denser than air. It may accumulate in low spaces and near the floor. When abused as an [[Intoxicative inhalant|inhalant]], it may cause [[hypoxia (medical)|hypoxia]] (lack of oxygen), [[pneumonia]], [[cardiac failure]] or [[cardiac arrest]].<ref name="gdcada.org">{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090408021738/http://www.gdcada.org/statistics/inhalants.htm |url=http://www.gdcada.org/statistics/inhalants.htm |archive-date=2009-04-08 |publisher=Greater Dallas Council on Alcohol & Drug Abuse |date=March 4, 2006 |title=Inhalants – Facts and Statistics}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.inhalants.org/final_medical.htm | title = Inhalants | date = 30 May 2020 | publisher = National Inhalant Prevention Coalition}}</ref> Propane has low [[toxicity]] since it is not readily absorbed and is not [[Biological activity|biologically active]]. Commonly stored under pressure at room temperature, propane and its mixtures will [[Flash evaporation|flash evaporate]] at atmospheric pressure and cool well below the freezing point of water. The cold gas, which appears white due to moisture condensing from the air, may cause frostbite.

Propane is denser than air. If a leak in a propane fuel system occurs, the vaporized gas will have a tendency to sink into any enclosed area and thus poses a risk of explosion and fire. The typical scenario is a leaking cylinder stored in a basement; the propane leak drifts across the floor to the pilot light on the furnace or water heater, and results in an explosion or fire. This property makes propane generally unsuitable as a fuel for boats. In 2007, a heavily investigated vapor-related [[Ghent, West Virginia#2007 Propane Disaster|explosion]] occurred in Ghent, West Virginia, U.S., killing four people and completely destroying the Little General [[convenience store]] on [[US Route 19|Flat Top Road]], causing several injuries.<ref>{{cite web|title=Little General Store Propane Explosion|url=https://www.csb.gov/little-general-store-propane-explosion/|publisher=US Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board|date=September 25, 2008|access-date=June 16, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Investigation Report:Little General Store-Propane Explosion (four killed, six injured)|url=https://www.csb.gov/assets/1/20/csbfinalreportlittlegeneral.pdf?13741|author=US Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board|date=September 25, 2008|access-date=June 16, 2021}}</ref>

Another hazard associated with propane storage and transport is known as a BLEVE or [[boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion]]. The [[Kingman Explosion]] involved a railroad tank car in Kingman, Arizona, U.S., in 1973 during a propane transfer. The fire and subsequent explosions resulted in twelve fatalities and numerous injuries.<ref name="Kingman">{{cite web|title=The Disaster Story|url=http://kingmanhistoricdistrict.com/points-of-interest/firefighters-memorial-park/the-disaster-story.htm|publisher=Kingman Historic District|access-date=1 July 2013}}</ref>