179: Spontaneous Combustion

This episode is marked explicit because we go into details that might lead to a person catching on fire. It’s interesting science and we don’t get graphic, but it might be too much for a younger listener.

If you are interested in the science of all things pyrophoric and don’t want the spontaneous human combustion content, listen until the 3:25 second mark.

Warning label for pyrophoric materials. Don’t cut off a truck with this on the side.

Image: Sodium metal in oil.

Check out the Department of Energy (DOE) handbook for Spontaneous Heating and Pyrophoricity (something that ignites on exposure to air) https://www.standards.doe.gov/standards-documents/1000/1081-bhdbk-2014-cn1/@@images/file