Propane
Description: the chemical formula is C3H8. This chemical is commonly used for fuel for heating, cooking, automobiles, fork lift trucks, crop drying, and welding and cutting operations. Propane is used in industry as a refrigerant, solvent, and as a chemical feedstock.
History: Propane is an LP-gas (liquefied petroleum). Although the propane gas industry is quite young, LP-gases were observed early in man’s history. As for back as 2000 B.C. for example, man used oil and gas for medical and heating purposes. The LP-gas industry had its beginnings in the early 20th century. Surprisingly, the discovery of LP gas was due to problems with the refining and storage of gasoline. In the early 1900’s, gasoline would quickly evaporate or “weather away” while in storage. Experiments were begun to stabilize gasoline. Through these experiments, it was soon discovered that the gases which evaporated could be condensed and stored as a liquid under moderate temperatures and pressures. Two major components of LP-gas were isolated and identified as propane and butane, and soon developed a practical method of removing them from natural gasoline. By 1912, the first residential gas range had been developed, and the first automobile powered by LP-gas was invented in 1913. In 1927, the total sales of propane in the U. S. were more than one million gallons, and after World War II the propane gas annual sales increased to more than 15 billion gallons.
Hazard to embalmer and/or staff member: no hazard to embalmer and slight hazard for staff member.
Toxicity: skin contact may cause cold burns, eye contact may cause permanent damage, inhalations of little exposure there is no effect at higher concentrations may be deadly.