Beware of Corroded & Unsafe Propane Tanks

ON THE NET - Monday, June 09, 2008 - There are the usual safety tips to follow when grilling. Kids need to stay away from the hot grill. Your steaks need to be cooked evenly on both sides. You never use the same plate that once held raw meat to place the cooked meat. And now, a new safety tip can be added to your barbecuing list. Check your propane tank BEFORE YOU BUY IT to make sure it wasn't used in the production of methamphetamine.

There's an e-mail safety alert circulating, warning consumers that propane tanks used to make the drug, methamphetamine, are being returned to stores and resold to unsuspecting consumers. The alert was forwarded to the us, and we searched the Internet to see if there was any cause for concern.

The Chronicle investigated to see if there is a real risk of this happening. Is your family at risk?

According to Snopes.com, the source of the Internet rumor cannot be confirmed, however, there is evidence that propane tanks are, in fact, used by some Meth labs to store anhydrous ammonia. Anhydrous ammonia is a fertilizer. It is normally a liquid, but it turns to a gas when exposed to air. For that reason, Meth manufacturers use propane tanks, to keep the toxic, corrosive material under pressure.

The corrosive material does compromise the integrity of the propane tank. But, is there a real risk to the general public that they might be purchasing a compromised tank?

The Chronicle called State authorities to find out. According to the results of our investigation, using propane tanks in meth labs to hold anhydrous ammonia is a common practice, and, in fact, the gas so corrosive it weakens the tank.

The authorities we spoke to said when tanks are used for methamphetamine manufacture, the valves will have blue or green stains on them. There is a very real chance that tanks may have been used improperly to hold the caustic gas, and consumers should be on the look out. 

Blue Rhino is a major propane retailer. Their website has the following message posted under Frequently Asked Questions: 

"At Blue Rhino, we recycle millions of propane tanks each year, striving to ensure that they can be used safely in America's backyards. Our state of the art production processes includes multiple steps where we inspect, test, and leak check each and every tank we receive.

As a part of that, our staff of propane professionals is trained on how to identify a propane tank that may have been used in methamphetamine production. Watching for these tanks is part of our process. If we do encounter a tank that we suspect has been used in that manner, we immediately contact hazardous materials response units to properly dispose of the tank. 

We encounter a very, very low amount of tanks used in meth production – just a handful out of millions each year. More than likely, anyone engaged in an illegal activity like that will be reluctant to bring their tanks to an exchange center.

By far the vast majority of propane tanks do what they are intended to do, which is to provide safe fuel for outdoor fun.

Grillers can feel confident that when they need gas for their grill or other propane appliance, Blue Rhino is not only a convenient choice but also a safe choice."

The e-mail warning suggests that consumers refuse to accept any propane tank that has a bluish-green valve on it. The Chronicle suggests that consumers go a step further -- notify and educate the propane retailer and ask him to remove the dangerous tank from his inventory. Of course it's important to look out for your own safety and the safety of your loved ones, but do the next guy and his loved ones a favor and have the dangerous tank removed.