Warnings about propane tanks used for making meth-Truth!

Warning About Recycled Propane Tanks Contaminated with Anhydrous Ammonia-Truth!

 
Summary of eRumor:
An alert from a police officer in Oklahoma about a danger involving recycled propane tanks.  She says that people are stealing propane tanks from retailers and using them to transport anhydrous ammonia, a substance used in making illegal meth.  They may then exchange them back to the retailers, which consumers need to be aware of because the anhydrous ammonia is corrosive and may render the tank dangerous for future use.  She recommends that if you get a tank at a refill station that has blue or green residue around the valve, don’t use it.
The Truth:
It’s not clear how widespread this threat is, but the same warning is being issued by numerous law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and Canada.
The problem is that the anhydrous ammonia used in making methamphetamine can corrode the valve at the top of the tank, making it dangerous to use.  If any of the anhydrous ammonia happens to be in the tank, that can be dangerous as well to skin and lungs.  Thieves not only use the small propane tanks for storing the ammonia, but for stealing it from larger tanks at businesses or farms.
Most of the other warnings we’ve seen from law enforcement also say to look for blue, green, or blue-green residue around the valve as possible evidence that the tank may have been used with the ammonia.
The National Propane Gas Association has issued an alert about the problem.  In a statement, the association said, “The brass valve in a propane cylinder will be damaged if it comes in contact with anhydrous ammonia. This deterioration will lead to cracking of the valve body or its components and can ultimately result in a violent, unexpected expulsion of the valve from the cylinder, causing personal injury or death.”
So far, we’ve not found a case in which a consumer has experienced problems because of a recycled propane tank damaged by use in making meth.  It doesn’t seem likely that meth makers would return used tanks to refill stations unless they happened to want some propane.  The signs of contamination on the tanks would be a tip-off to the refill stations that a criminal may be present.
Ohio State University issued a warning to farmers who use anhydrous ammonia as a nitrogen-based fertilizer.  The farmers usually have large tanks of the ammonia and meth makers steal small quantities by using the barbecue type propane tanks.  Among other warnings, the university urged farmers to be wary about any consumer tanks found on their property that have the signs of contamination and, therefore, the threat of injury.
It is recommended that if you spot the signs of contamination when purchasing a cylinder, refuse it.  If you discover that you have a tank with signs of contamination, don’t move it.  Call your local fire department for proper handling and disposal.  Or you can contact the National Propane Gas Association at 1-800-728-2482.