Propane

Propane's chemical formula is C3H8. It is also known as liquefied petroleum gas, dimethyl methane, and lp gas. It is an odorless and colorless gas/liquid. They add a rotten egg smell to it to allow people to know if they have a leak. It is not a known carcinogen. Propane is extremely flammable. If spilled on skin or in the eyes it can have an effect similar to frostbite. The CHS has not has not conducted specific toxicity tests on Propane. Propane is used for grilling/cooking, torches, forklift fuel, home heating, and many other uses. Propane is a derivative of two sources, from petroleum refinement and natural gas processing. It was first discovered around 1910, and in its first year of recorded production 223,000 gallons were produced. By 1945 over a billion gallons were produced, and by 1947 62% of all homes in the U.S. were equipped for either cooking or heating with propane because it is cheap and efficient. It is still used very widely today as well with over 15 billion gallons sold annually. Propane is primarily used in the funeral home business as a heating source. It burns a lot cleaner than gasoline and has a higher octane at 110 also.