Are Farts Really Flammable?
Ever wondered if your farts could light a fire?
In this episode, we ignite the science behind flatulence — from gut bacteria brewing gas to the surprising role of cow diets in fighting climate change. Along the way, we’ll sniff out ancient remedies, modern fart apps, and why your toots are more than just comic relief.
Thanks to Daniel's intriguing question, we've managed to sprinkle the word 'fart' 32 times into our episode, proving that science can be both educational and downright funny.
Episode Transcript
Hey there, curious minds. Welcome to another episode of I Wonder, the show where we explore the questions you've been wondering about. Today's question might make you laugh out loud. It comes from Daniel who asked are farts really flammable. Believe it or not, this isn't just a funny question. There's a lot of fascinating science behind it. Farts can be fiery, literally. They're produced by both humans and animals and they're tied to things like gut health and even climate change. Oh, and in Australia, the government recently built a fart tracking app and are asking residents to use it. Wow, so much to unpack in this episode. Let's clear the air and get into it.
Let's start with the basics.
A fart, or flatulence, is simply gas that exits your digestive system. It's your gut's way of getting rid of excessive gas created during digestion. This gas comes from two main sources: swallowed air and the work of gut bacteria. Swallowed air comes in when we eat, drink or even talk, taking a trip through our digestive system before it exits. The rest of the gas is created by gut bacteria breaking down food. These bacteria help digest things like fiber, producing gases like nitrogen, hydrogen and sometimes methane. Most people pass gas about 10 to 20 times a day. That's up to one and a half liters of gas daily enough to fill a big soda bottle. While most farts are odorless, the smelly ones get their stench from sulfur compounds released during digestion. It's a totally natural process, even if it's a bit embarrassing at times.
Now to answer Daniel's question are farts flammable? Yes, farts can be flammable, but it depends on what they're made of. The gas in a fart is usually a mix of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, oxygen and methane. Both hydrogen and methane are highly flammable. If a fart contains enough of these gases, then… it can ignite when exposed to a flame. That said, not all farts have methane. About 30 to 60 percent of people produce methane-rich farts, depending on their diet and gut bacteria. People who eat a lot of fiber-rich foods, like beans and lentils, tend to produce more gas that could contain methane. Foods like cabbage and broccoli are also notorious gas producers. While this might sound amusing, lighting your farts on fire is dangerous, and so is playing with matches. Do not try this at home, unless you want to try to explain why your pants are literally on fire.
Humans aren't the only ones passing gas. Many animals do too, but cows, sheep and goats take the farting crown when it comes to methane production. These animals, known as ruminants, have specialized stomachs where food ferments during digestion, producing large amounts of methane. Most of this methane is released through burps, with a smaller portion coming from farts, and it significantly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Greenhouse gases are bad because they trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere and make the planet warmer, similar to how a greenhouse keeps plants warm by holding in heat. A single cow can produce up to 500 liters of methane per day, enough to fill two bathtubs. When you consider the millions of cows around the world, the impact on global warming is huge. To tackle this issue, scientists are exploring ways to reduce methane emissions from livestock. One promising idea is to add seaweed to cattle feed. Research shows that this can cut methane production by as much as 80%. Imagine a future where cows munch on seaweed and help fight climate change at the same time.
Farts aren't just funny. They're also a window into your gut health. Passing gas is a sign that your digestive system is working, but the frequency, smell and amount of gas can tell you more. If you're passing a lot of gas, it might be because you're eating high-fiber foods like beans or broccoli, which are known to ferment in the gut. Smelly gas often comes from sulfur-rich foods like eggs or onions. On the other hand, persistent or painful gas could signal an issue like lactose intolerance or irritable bowel syndrome. Paying attention to your body's signals can help you understand how your diet affects your digestion, and if you're curious about tracking it, there are lots of options. The Australian government has now released a fart tracking app and are asking people to record details like the frequency of their farts, their loudness, ranging from barely there to thunderous, the smell - odorless to downright toxic, and even the fart duration. There are actually lots of fart tracking apps available worldwide, including those that will track farts while you sleep. Now why would anyone want to track this? One reason is that researchers want to figure out what's normal and how diet and lifestyle impact digestion. It's a great example of citizen science, where everyday people contribute data to help answer big questions. So yeah, sharing your fart data might just help advance medical research and save the world.
Farting also isn't unique to humans and large animals. Termites, believe it or not, produce methane as well. Their tiny digestive system breaks down wood, releasing a surprising amount of gas. And let's not forget the age-old wisdom, silent farts are often the smelliest. A reminder to always be on your guard. Flatulence has even made its mark on history. In ancient Rome, emperor Claudius supposedly encouraged public farting to prevent health issues. Whether or not that's true, it's clear that passing gas has always been a part of life, no matter how fancy we think we are.
So, to answer Daniel's question, are farts flammable? Absolutely, if they contain enough methane or hydrogen. But beyond their flammability, farts are fascinating for many reasons. They're a natural part of digestion, they can offer insight into gut health and they're even the focus of cutting-edge research, whether it's through apps like Chart your Fart or studies on methane emissions. Tracking flatulence is more useful and more entertaining than you might think.
Thanks again to Daniel for such a great question and for giving us the opportunity to make an episode that uses the word fart 31 times. Fart, okay, now 32 times. And remember, if you have a question you're curious about submit it on our website, iwonderpodcast. com, and we might just feature it in our next episode of I Wonder. Until next time, stay curious and keep wondering.