Is hydrogen dangerous?

Hydrogen is highly inflammable, that means it easily reacts with oxygen and when it burns water is produced. Exactly this characteristic makes it suitable as a fuel.

Hydrogen has no greater danger potential than oil, natural gas or uranium. With regard to its physical and chemical specifications hydrogen is not particularly dangerous. Therefore, e.g. in Germany, the safety precautions and regulations for hydrogen do not differ from those for every other burnable gas.

In car accidents or air crashes liquid fuels often lead to fire slicks and in consequence frequently result in fatal injuries. In contrast to this hydrogen escapes upwards into the air very fast. On the other hand one has to consider that there is an increased explosion hazard when hydrogen is set free in closed rooms, e.g. in garages or tunnels. In closed rooms good ventilation and perhaps additional safety precautions must be provided.

The chemical industry has been using hydrogen for hundred years. The experiences concerning safety are positive.

Safety crash test of a
hydrogen storage vessel