Skip Navigation

Tox Town - Environmental health concerns and toxic chemicals where you live, work, and play
Propaneen español
Propane gas is safe for heating and cooking when handled with care.

What is propane?

Propane is a colorless and odorless gas or liquid that is highly flammable. It is produced as a by-product of natural gas processing and petroleum refining. The chemical formula for propane is C3H8

Propane is the principal component of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). It is used to manufacture other chemicals, including ethylene and propylene, and as a refrigerant, solvent, and aerosol propellant. 

The most common household uses for propane are in open-fired outdoor grills, hot water heaters, spas and swimming pools, lighting, heating, and stoves. In agriculture, propane is used for heating, power generation, waste treatment, crop drying, and weed control in corn, soybeans, cotton, tobacco, and strawberries. 

In industry, propane is used as a fuel, including forklifts. It is also a fuel for light-to-heavy-duty trucks, buses, taxis, police cars, and rental and delivery vehicles.

How might I be exposed to propane?

You can be exposed to propane if you inhale it, or if it touches your skin or eyes. 

You can be exposed to propane at home if you cook on an outdoor propane grill, or have appliances or equipment that uses propane for fuel. You can be exposed to propane if you are a farmer or farm worker on a farm that uses propane in its buildings, generators, or fields. 

You can be exposed at work if you are a transport driver, gas station attendant, service station attendant, or driver of a vehicle or forklift that is fueled by propane. You can be exposed if you work at a gasoline bulk handling facility, petroleum refinery, or chemical manufacturing facility.

How can propane affect my health?

Propane is an asphyxiant, which cuts off oxygen to the body. Exposure to very high concentrations of propane can cause death by suffocation from lack of oxygen. 

Exposure to high levels of propane can cause cardiac arrest, incapacitation, unconsciousness, or seizures. Direct skin contact with liquid propane can cause frostbite. 

Exposure to lower levels of propane can cause damage to the central nervous system, lung congestion, fluid in the lungs, fatigue, decreased night vision, tunnel vision, hallucinations, dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, vomiting, headache, euphoria, numbness and tingling of arms and legs, hyperventilation, rapid heartbeat, poor judgment, confusion, memory loss, anorexia, nosebleeds, conjunctivitis, weight loss, and skin irritation and discoloration. 

If you think your health has been affected by exposure to propane, contact your health care professional.

For poisoning emergencies or questions about possible poisons please contact your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.


More Links
Home Safe Home. Propane Safety Tips for the Home (Railroad Commission of Texas) PDF Icon
Outdoor Cooking Devices (New York State Dept. of State) PDF Icon
Propane (in aerosols). Household Products Database (National Library of Medicine)
Propane. Haz-Map (National Library of Medicine)
Propane. Hazardous Substances Data Bank (National Library of Medicine)
What You Should Know About Combustion Appliances and Indoor Air Pollution (Consumer Product Safety Commission)

Locations where Propane may be found
City
City
Farm
Farm
Town
Town
U.S.-Mexico Border
U.S.-Mexico Border
Port
Port
Brownfield
Climate Change
Construction
Drinking Water
Factory
Food Services
Homes
Hospital
Offices and Stores
School
School Bus
Vehicles
Barn and Silo
Chemical Storage Tank
Climate Change
Crop Fields
Drinking Water
Homes
Landfill
Off-road Vehicles
Shed
Tree Farm and Logging
Vehicles
Climate Change
Drinking Water
Factory
Homes
Offices and Stores
School
School Bus
Vehicles
Auto Shop
Climate Change
Crop Fields
Drinking Water
Homes
Illegal Dumps and Tire Piles
Maquiladora
Vehicles
Chemical Storage Tank
Climate Change
Coastal Brownfield
Cruise Ship
Drinking Water
Fuel Pipelines
Homes
Marina and Boats
Offices and Stores
Shipping
Shipyard
Vehicles

Last Updated: November 06, 2008

Interactive Graphic Neighborhoods City Farm Town US - Mexico Border Port