Methane gas

[hopalong]

When we fart we produce methane gas.   is  breathing in this gas dangerous? 

[Loosehead]

exclusively, yes, mixed with the air no, but it whiff's a bit

[Golem]

Not sure that it's dangerous, although the considerable amount of gas produced by cows daily is thought to contribute to the greenhouse effect!

And since cooking in a 'Dutch Oven' has never produced any fatalities, it can't be so bad. Dutch Oven? Here's an amusing description ...

"Farts can bring more excitement into wedlock if administered in a Dutch Oven: this is where one partner lets go a huge fart, pulls the duvet cover or bed sheets over the head of their loved one, trapping them in a confusion of methane, while shouting triumphantly, 'Dutch oven! Dutch oven!' The person trapped will wriggle like an eel, the trapper will then nearly die laughing and it will all end up in a really boisterous play fight. Of course, this is all in questionable taste."

From; http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/alabaster/A673508

Ooops .... excuse me a minute ...

[MargeB]

Golem, if this is the case, why do we never hear this behaviour from cows?

[David H]

I saw this question answered by a scientist recently, only about half of all people have methane in their farts, and amazingly pure methane doesn't actually smell.

The amount in a fart isn't dangerous, there's probably quite a bit in the air already as Golem said.

[Golem]

... but seriously folks ... did you hear the one about taxing cow's farts because of the Kyoto agreement? Read it here;

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/3005740.stm

If they can do it to cows, they can do it to us!