How Old Is YOUR Propane Tank? EVAS 20lb Propane Tanks Recalled

If you own a barbeque grill, a turkey fryer, or a space heater that runs on propane, go check the tank right now; it could be subject to a recall.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a recall notice for EVAS 20lbs propane tanks, citing a potential fire hazard because of gas leaks. To date, more than 146,000 tanks are affected. To find out of your tank is one of them, check for “model number EVAS – M0859, a serial number beginning with a ‘W,’ and a date code of either ‘06-23’ or ‘07-23.’”

If you have an EVAS propane tank, turn it off, disconnect it, and bring it to any AmeriGas Propane Exchange location. You can find a location through the AmeriGas website here. But if you have already been injured by a defective tank, keep reading. (If you were injured, you will want to keep the tank — it is evidence.)

Why we believe this propane tank issue won’t go away with one recall

We expect that over the next 5-10 years, we’re going to be seeing a lot of these recall notices not because of the tank itself, but because of the valves. No one suffered any harm before this most recent recall, but that may not always be the case.

As a country, started recycling propane tanks in the early to mid-90s and those tanks are getting older and older. By 2002, “a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) safety code went into effect that prohibits the refilling of propane tanks that are not equipped with overfill protection devices (OPD),” which affected all tanks between 4 and 40lbs. This safety switch keeps tanks from being overfilled, which reduces the risk of a rupture or a leak. These tanks also has to be “requalified” every 5-10 years, which requires an inspection for the following four defects, per the United States Department of Transportation’s (U.S. DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration:

1. Damage to the cylinder’s exterior including dents; bulges; cuts; or cracks on the cylinder’s surface, or to welds; and any evidence of physical abuse; fire; or heat damage.
2. Detrimental rust, corrosion, or pitting on the cylinder, particularly on the bottom.
3. Absence of/damage to a cylinder footring, cylinder neckring (collar), or valve cover.
4. A leaking or defective valve or leaking or defective pressure relief device.

The U.S. DOT goes on to say that “If any of the defects noted in items 1 through 4 bare present, the cylinder must not be filled and may only be repaired, requalified, or rebuilt by an authorized U.S. DOT facility.”

But here’s the truth: the tank itself gets recertified, but the valve does not really get checked. These tanks are starting to leak like crazy, and people are getting hurt – in more ways than you might expect.

How a leaking propane gas tank causes harm

The most obvious risk of a leaking propane gas tank is fire: the gas builds up and the spark from the ignition creates a fireball which can cause a grill or other appliance to explode. You and anyone nearby could be seriously burned.

But there’s another serious risk of leaking gas tanks: asphyxiation. While propane isn’t toxic, it will displace oxygen. This means if you’re inhaling propane, you can suffer propane toxicity. According to Propane.com, “When people or animals come in contact with propane, it’s usually in its gaseous state, making inhalation the most common form of exposure. Because it replaces the oxygen in your lungs, the symptoms of propane inhalation are related to oxygen deprivation, and not to any toxicity of propane itself. Physical activity will actually make the symptoms worse.”

In short, inhaling propane deprives you of oxygen, which can lead to headaches, nausea, dizziness, or drowsiness, but can also cause convulsions or rapid loss of consciousness.

Now, imagine that you have been tasked with picking up the propane tank for the family barbeque. You put that tank in the backseat of the car and start driving home. There’s a leak in the valve, which means the gas is escaping. As the driver, you can fall asleep behind the wheel or pass out, or even go into cardiac failure – and it can happen in an instant, before you even think about opening a window or pulling the car over. The risk of a car accident is significant, even if you place that tank in the trunk, as propane can still leak into the car.

Or, imagine that your space heater runs off propane. Not only could a leak cause a house fire, but it could also asphyxiate you in your sleep.

What should I do if I have an old propane tank?

Propane tanks have a shelf life of about 12 years. If you have an old propane tank, return it and replace it with a brand new one. You can tell how old a propane tank is by looking at its collar. This diagram comes from the U.S. DOT site:

What should I do if I think my propane tank or its valve is defective?

If you think you have a defective propane tank valve, do not remove the valve. The tanks can explode if the valve is removed incorrectly. Instead, close the valve as tightly as you can, load the tank into the back of a pick-up truck or other open-air vehicle, secure it, and bring it to a place that accepts older tanks. (The AmeriGas link above can help here.)

What should I do if I was injured because of a defective propane tank?

If you or a loved one suffered harm because of a defective propane tank, do not return the tank; instead, store it somewhere safely outdoors where it cannot cause any harm, and then call Plattner Verderame, P.C. When you file a product liability claim in Arizona, which is a type of injury lawsuit for defective products, you need to show that the product was, indeed, defective. To do this, we’ll need the tank.

Think your injuries were caused by a defective propane tank valve? Time may not be on your side. You only have two years to file a lawsuit if you were hurt by a defective product; our lawyers in Phoenix and Tempe can help. To schedule a free consultation with an attorney from Plattner Verderame, P.C., call us or contact us today.