Effect of fuel type on carbon monoxide accumulation in tents of varied design

The use of backpacking stoves in tents has been recognized to result in elevated carboxyhemoglobin levels and even death among tent inhabitants. A study was performed to evaluate carbon monoxide production occurring in varying tents with variable fuel types.

Using a popular backpacking stove, both white gas and regular unleaded gasoline were used to heat a pot of water inside 2 tents of differing levels of weather resistance ("3-season tent" and "4-season tent") under controlled settings. A remote carbon monoxide sensor measured levels over a 20-minute period. Multiple 20-minute runs were performed with varying fuel and tent combinations to assess peak levels and rates of carbon monoxide production.

Mean peak carbon monoxide levels were obtained in the 3-season tent and 4-season tent when white gas was burned measuring 60.5 ppm (95% CI: 31.2 to 89.8) and 154.5 ppm (95% CI: 112.8 to 195.7; P = .002), respectively. The use of regular unleaded gasoline in the 3-season and 4-season tents resulted in mean peak carbon monoxide levels of 102.9 ppm (95% CI: 77.8 to 128.0) and 210.6 ppm (95% CI: 37.4 to 383.1; P = .06), respectively. Using regular unleaded gasoline resulted in significantly increased mean peak carbon monoxide levels compared with white gas in the 3-season tent (P = .006); however, the difference was not significant in the 4-season tent (P = .23).

The use of backpacking stoves in tents produces varying levels of carbon monoxide related to fuel type and tent styles. Efforts should continue to educate persons of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning with the use of any stove while inside tents.