Propane Tank Exchange Warning

[SwampYankee]

I came across this on an classic Winnebago forum and thought it was worth passing on. I don't know about the chemisty involved but thought it was a better safe than sorry thing!

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RVers use a great deal of propane and so do drug dealers. The problem is drug dealers who manufacture methamphetamine, also known as "crank" the popular illegal drug that rots your teeth, are using exchangeable propane bottles to store anhydrous ammonia during the manufacturing process. When they return the bottles to the exchange rack at the store they are endangering future users because they have compromised the safety of the brass valves. A blue-green color on the brass service valve is evidence that it may have been in contact with anhydrous ammonia. Here is what the safety bulletin says, "The brass valve in a propane cylinder will be damaged if it comes in contact with anhydrous ammonia. This deterioration will lead to cracking of the valve body or its components and can ultimately result in a violent, unexpected expulsion of the valve from the cylinder, causing personal injury or death." Sounds serious to me and you can see photos and read more about it at the National Propane Gas Association website here: Safety Bulletin The best advise is to refill your own propane tanks and not use an exchange bottle. However if you do use exchange bottles or pick one up at a yard sale be sure the brass valve is not a blue-green color.