This is a sequel to our conversation yesterday about the rising explosion from domestic cooking fuels. We have identified the two hotspots for the occurrence of this explosions - homes (kitchens during cooking) and RE-fill stations (during the refilling of the gas cylinders).

The substitution of Propylene rich feed gas for the conventional liquefied petroleum gas has been identified as the major contributory factor to the rising domestic gas accidents in the country. You can catch the remaining details of the previous conversation here.
The conversation today will highlight some of the ways consumers can identify an adulterated Liquefied Petroleum Gas.

Smell

PRF, from the name, suggest the high content of propylene in the gas mixture. An alcohol derivative of Propane, propylene is an odorless chemical substance with a subtle sweet taste. Like I explained here, the gas is basically meant for the production of synthetic materials and thermoplastics.

Liquiefied Petroleum Gas ( a careful mixture of butane and propane) on the other had is an odourless gas in its natural state. In a best practice to increase safety around cooking gas in cases of leak, an additive is added to the gas. Ethyl Mercaptan is the chemical agent that gives the domestic cooking gas its unique stench. This agent , as an industry standard, is added at the point in which the gas leaves its main storage terminals.

So one of the easiest way of detecting an adulterated LPG is the lack of that unique cooking gas stench. So as a consumer with an ample familiarity with the foul smell of cooking gas, you should be suspective when the new gas lacks this smell.

While we further look towards our regulators to standardize the domestic cooking gas markets, there is this obligation on each user to ensure safety while using or re-filling LPG.
Safety is a priority we must all be concerned about.

Thank you for reading.