Is hydrogen safe?

For some, the mention of the word “hydrogen” brings to mind the Hindenburg disaster in 1937 that killed 36 people. Hydrogen is indeed highly volatile and flammable but the element’s supporters say it has an excellent safety record. The U.S. Department of Energy says to prevent ignitions, “adequate ventilation and leak detection are important elements in the design of safe hydrogen systems.” Since hydrogen burns with a nearly invisible flame, special flame detectors are required.

Transportation: In fuel cell vehicles, the hydrogen is stored in tanks with thick walls that have a liner that’s wrapped inside a carbon-fiber shell and sensors are placed around the tank to detect leaks. The pressurized tanks have passed repeated crash tests. Toyota said the fuel tanks in its Mirai even withstood being “shot at with high-velocity weapons.” BMW last fall said an uncontrolled reaction of hydrogen and oxygen while driving a fuel cell vehicle is “virtually impossible.” Edmunds.com has called hydrogen fuel as safe as gasoline.

Manufacturing: For decades, the element has been produced, stored and transported. Oil refineries, for example, use steam methane reformers to make hydrogen so they can remove impurities like sulfur from petroleum and diesel fuels.

Hindenburg: The cause of the fire above Lakehurst, N.J., is still a matter of intense debate. A recent explanation points the finger at a hydrogen gas leak ignited by an electrostatic discharge. Others insist hydrogen did not cause the fire. Theories include everything from a coating on the airship’s exterior that proved flammable to an internal puncture to sabotage.