They should not be used inside buildings because of the gases and fumes they emit. Many workplaces still use propane forklifts. These, however, still produce emissions such as high levels of carbon monoxide that we would do better without. A long term goal should be to change propane forklifts to electric forklifts. In the short run, however, propane forklifts can be converted to natural gas to reduce emissions.
Natural gas is the cleanest burning fossil fuel.
The plant manufactures farm tractors. Ventilation improvements include exhaust stacks at each work station where a tractor is started, two new air makeup units, a number of exhaust fans throughout the plant and a solar wall. These improvements have reduced carbon monoxide exposure from the former high of 75 ppm to 28 ppm. They want to reduce carbon monoxide emissions further. Brother Reis says the biggest problem they have now are the propane forklifts and the company is experimenting with natural gas forklifts.