Lighting farts

For people who check facts

Lighting farts is the practice of igniting the gases produced by flatulence. It is a prank practised primarily among young men, but discouraged for its potential for causing injury.

Farts consist largely of flammable methane gas. Lighting such gas can result in burns or explosions. Clothing and/or hair may catch fire or sensitive tissues can be damaged.

Such experiments are common among young men on camping trips or in single-sex group residences such as dormitories or fraternity houses, but the flammability of bodily gases has caused serious problems in the operating room and also in slaughterhouses.

At least one patient is known to have exploded while undergoing cauterization of a rectal polyp. An electric spark ignited the patient's intestinal gases, resulting in a six-inch (15-cm) hole in the patient's large intestine. However, this was sewn up, and the patient recovered [1].

References in Popular Culture

Many find a comedic value to lighting of farts. The activity is often represented in pop culture.

In the film , the character Kenny McCormick kills himself attempting to light one of his farts. (Kenny's deaths from odd causes are a running gag in the series.)

In UPN's sitcom Rock Me, Baby, two deejays discuss the practice on the air. Shortly after an entire frathouse, inspired by the broadcast, is hospitalized for rectal burning and cauterization after attempting to light their farts--resulting in guilt, heavy fines for the station, and public backlash.

Here is a flash animation of what could possibly happened while attempting this stunt.