A Case of Burns due to Combustion of Methane Gas

Abstract

A 26-year-old Japanese man, engaged in pasturage, suffered 2nd degree burns on the exposed parts of his body due to combustion of methane gas which caught fire when he lit a cigarette. It occured in a toilet connected with an animal waste digester for cows. Experiments revealed that the same condition produced a concentration of methane gas, at the digester, which was high enough to catch fire. We concluded that necessary safeguard measures should be taken regarding the waste digester and the toilet and that appropriate attention should be given to those concerned. © 1993, Western Division of Japanese Dermatological Association. All rights reserved.