WARNING Propane Tanks

PePe LePew

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WARNING Propane Tanks

This originated from a police officer.
(The website below shows photos of contaminated tanks.)

Subject: Safety Announcement: Propane Tank Danger

Hello everyone,
For those of you who like to grill it up during the summer, here's a safety announcement you should be aware of... Please put this information out to ALL personnel. This message was sent to me and I thought it should be shared. I personally do not exchange my propane tank. For those of you that do, this is something you definitely need to be aware of, especially in light of the recent news of "Meth-labs" in our area.
The following came from an email sent to me:
"There was a meth training/workshop yesterday and there was a lot of great new information presented. I wanted to let you all know about one thing that I was not aware of.

Meth cooks are getting the propane tanks from the exchanges at Wal-Mart, Kroger, etc. and emptying them of the propane. Then, they are filling them with anhydrous ammonia (which they now have a recipe for by the way). After they are finished with them, they return them to the store. They are then refilled with propane and sent back for you and me to buy. Anhydrous ammonia is very corrosive and weakens the structure of the tank. It can be very dangerous when mixed with propane and hooked up to our grills, etc.
According to our presenter, you should inspect the propane tank for any blue or greenish residue around the valve areas. If it is present, refuse to purchase that one."

I researched the information, and you should check out the following website for more details. They also have pictures you can show.

Anhydrous Ammonia Safety Alert - National Propane Gas Association

Be careful out there!
 
While I believe that propane tanks can be at risk like this, I do find it hard to believe that it would be an intentional plot made by meth users returning tanks to Wal-Mart or other stores.

The website doesn't mention anything about Wal-Mart. It looks like someone decided to take a real article and add something scary to it by saying that it is intentionally done at places like Wal-Mart.
 
If enough is exposed to water, it will form ammonium hydroxide. Exposure to that will chemically burn skin, especially wet tissue lining as a vapor, very corrosive.
 
Wal-Mart has propane tanks? I get mine from the Blue Rhino dealers (Lowe's or is it Home Depot?).
 
Jeez!!! Oh boy! Its gross with meth things! Yuck! :ugh3:
 
How is it exactly that it is aimed at Walmart, Kroger and any other stores? The website didn't exactly say which specific locations it is being circulated at.

While the dangers arises, it is always good to be aware and to be on guard but really, it can happen anywhere else. Not just only Walmart or other places.
 
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