ALERT: Certain propane gas sold in Saskatchewan and Manitoba lacks required odour additive and may pose safety risk

Starting date:

October 30, 2015

Posting date:

October 30, 2015

Type of communication:

Advisory

Subcategory:

Household Items, Chemicals

Source of recall:

Health Canada

Issue:

Fire Hazard

Audience:

General Public

Identification number:

RA-55686

Affected product(s):

Propane gas manufactured by Crescent Point Energy and sold for use in portable tanks or delivered to storage tanks in Saskatchewan and Manitoba

Product description:

Propane gas manufactured by Crescent Point Energy and distributed by various companies throughout Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The propane gas was delivered by various companies directly to consumers for use in storage tanks or sold at retail locations for use in portable refillable tanks (e.g. for use in recreational vehicles, barbecues, stoves and other appliances). Some of the propane was also sold to businesses for commercial and industrial purposes.

Hazard identified:

Some of the propane may not contain or may contain an insufficient amount of the required odourant that is added to propane to help alert consumers to a gas leak. Failure to detect leaking gas can pose fire, explosion and burn hazards to consumers if the gas is in the presence of an ignition source.

As a safety feature, propane in Canada is required to have a certain level of odourant (the chemical mercaptan) added as prescribed by the Canadian Standards Association.

According to the company, there have been no reported incidents or injuries related to the use of this propane.

Number sold:

The volume of propane affected is unknown.

Time period sold:

The potentially affected propane was sold between April 2009 and October 2015.

Place of origin:

Manufactured in various locations in Southeast Saskatchewan.

Companies:

Manufacturer
Crescent Point Energy Corp.
Suite 2000, 585 8 Avenue S.W.
Calgary, AB
Canada T2P 1G1

What you should do:

Consumers in Manitoba and Saskatchewan who are concerned about purchased or delivered propane should contact their local retail propane supplier to arrange for an inspection, or contact the Crescent Point Energy hotline listed below to assist in arranging aninspection. If an inspection confirms your propane contains insufficient odourant, Crescent Point Energy will immediately arrange for appropriate odourization or provide a replacement portable propane tank.

Consumers can reach Crescent Point by calling the toll-free hotline at 1-866-421-4266 or by emailing info@youandpropane.com. For more information, please visit the website: www.youandpropane.com

Safety Note: Consumers should not try to test the propane gas themselves. They should call their propane supplier or Crescent Point Energy.

As well, consumers are reminded that if you smell even a faint odour of gas and suspect a gas leak:

• Put out any open flame or cigarette
• Leave the area immediately
• Do not use phones or any electronics near the leak
• Do not turn appliances or lights on or off
• Do not light a match
• If there is a fire, call 911 or your local fire department. Do not attempt to put out the fire.

Health Canada would like to remind Canadians to report any health or safety incidents related to the use of any consumer product or cosmetic by filling out the Consumer Product Incident Report Form.

Media Enquiries:

Health Canada
(613) 957-2983

Public Enquiries:

(613) 957-2991
1-866 225-0709