Crescent Point Propane Gas Recall Issued Due to Risk Consumers May Not Smell Gas Leak

Almost 120 million gallons of propane gas distributed throughout the United States and Canada is being recalled, due to a risk that it may have insufficient odorant levels, potentially preventing consumers from detecting a gas leaks, which may increase the risk of fires and explosions. 

A Crescent Point Energy propane gas recall was announced by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on February 12, after the distributor recognized the storable gas did not contain sufficient levels of odors added. If consumers are unable to spell the gas leak, it could cause health consequences and create a serious safety risk.

Propane gas is a burnable fuel that is a mixture of liquid LP-Gas and the odorant ethyl mercaptan. It is used in large and small storage tanks for home heating sources or for grills, but it is naturally colorless and odorless, which means that it cannot be detected without added odorants. Breathing in or swallowing propane can be extremely harmful because the gas takes the place of oxygen in the lungs, making breathing difficult or impossible.

Over exposure to propane gas leaks can cause a wide variety of adverse health consequences including disorientation, vomiting, excessive salivation, headache, excitation, skin irritation and in the worst case scenarios loss of consciousness that could lead to death from suffocation.

The most common odorant added to propane gas is ethyl mercaptan and the CPSC considers it safe practice that homeowners or anyone using storable propane gas become familiar with the scent of the fuel or use detectors to recognize leaks. Although the odorants in the gas may be detectable from the scent, the elderly or those unfamiliar with the smell of the gas may be susceptible to prolonged exposure and more at risk of explosion or fire risks.

The recall includes 118 million gallons of under-odorized propane gas delivered to customers for use in storage tanks, or sold at retail locations for use in portable refillable tanks commonly used for recreational vehicles, barbeques, stoves and other appliances. The gas was also sold to businesses for commercial and industrial use.

The under-odorized gas was manufactured in Canada by Crescent Point Energy Corporation and distributed for sale in Arizona, Idaho, Kentucky, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Washington, Wisconsin and Utah, and was delivered by various companies and sold by retailers between April 2009 and October 2015.

Consumers are being asked to contact their retailer, supplier or Crescent Point Energy at 866-421-4266 immediately to schedule an inspection, and for customers to not attempt to test the propane for sufficient odorant levels themselves. The CPSC is urging customers who smell even the faintest of gas odors to immediately leave the building and call 911 and their gas provider from a neighbor’s telephone and to not have any sort of flammable or electrical source on near the potential leak.

According to the recall, if an inspection determines that the propane does not contain sufficient odorants, Crescent Point Energy will either immediately arrange for appropriate odorization or provide a replacement portable tank. Customers may also contact the manufacturer by email at info@youandpropane.com or online at www.youandpropane.com for further information.