Handling Butane Safely

CEBU, Philippines - Butane is one of the most powerful and popular fuel sources used around the world. As a highly flammable, colorless, and odorless liquefied gas, butane can be a health hazard when used improperly or for the wrong purposes. However, if a simple set of safety guidelines is followed, butane is one of the safest fuels to store and use both indoors and outdoors. .

There are risks to deal with. Although the health risks of butane are very low when used correctly, it is a highly flammable and toxic gas that can cause serious problems when handled improperly. The risks of incorrect butane use can be fatal.

Inhalation. Some have turned to sniffing the butane from bottles or aerosols for a quick high. Inhaling butane can result in euphoria, but it can also lead to a host of medical problems such as fluctuating blood pressure, temporary memory loss, frostbite, drowsiness, narcosis, asphyxia, cardiac arrhythmia and, in the more severe cases, even death. Butane is one of the most commonly misused substances, and accounts for about half of solvent-related fatalities.

Explosion. As a highly flammable and pressurized gas, it’s possible that butane may explode if exposed to heat or used improperly. This volatile substance has been known to injure or even kill people when used incorrectly, damaging property and causing fires. Because butane gas is heavier than air, it may travel long distances before it finds a material that ignites it and then travel back to its source at lightning pace.

Leaks. In its pure form, butane is an odorless and colorless gas that is not detectable to humans until it causes ill health effects or an explosion. Luckily, organic sulfur compounds are added to canned butane to cause foul smells so that humans can detect a leak and vacate the premises before their safety is compromised.

Skin Exposure. If butane is poured on exposed skin or the eyes, it may cause frostbite or freeze burn. This is why butane refills must be handled carefully. Butane canisters that are designed for refilling will come with adaptors for refilling.

Consumers are enjoined to observe certain measures for safe handling of butane:

• Take precautions to avoid inhaling butane when using it for cooking, heating, or lighting.

• Keep butane canisters away from heat, sparks, open flame, and hot surfaces.

• Don’t smoke near butane or light a cigarette when using it.

• Store butane in a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight and food and drink.

• Let lighters or canisters cool off before refilling them with butane.

• Use only approved containers for storage.

• Keep storage containers closed and clearly labeled.

• Ground and bond containers during product transfers to avoid explosions. Use special slow load procedures if you’re refilling a container that was previously storing another fuel.

• When using butane on an industrial scale, cover eyes with goggles and wear an apron and protective, heat-resistant gloves.

• Do not try to extinguish a butane-caused fire until the source of the gas can be turned off. Never try to fight a large fire by yourself.

• Wash or consider disposing of clothing that has come into contact with butane. Sometimes, the gas can start a fire in the washing machine.

• And, as always, keep out of reach of children.

Once one is exposed to butane gas, medical attention must be sought immediately. In the meantime, the following safety procedures shall be observed:

• Get the victim to an area where there is fresh air. If the victim’s breathing is irregular or stops completely, give artificial respiration until medical personnel arrives.

• Immediately run exposed skin under warm water.

• Flush out eyes for at least 15 minutes with warm water. Hold eyelids open and away from the eye so that the whole surface is washed out.

Health risks are extremely unlikely to occur from butane, if it is handled properly. One shall use every precaution when refilling and storing butane, and think twice before engaging in any unauthorized uses of the gas. (www.butanesource.com)