On several occasions I have noticed, when wearing pajamas in bed, If I roll around under the sheets, static electricity builds up and can cause very small electrical discharges (sparks). This got me thinking about if by chance one were to pass gas under the sheets and then toss and turn in bed. Is it possible that any sparks could ignite the methane trapped under the sheets?? I’m not even sure if the proper mixture of methane and oxygen could be produced in this situation. Additionally, would the sparks be sufficient enough to cause any ignition??
It looks like is possible to get the right mixture ignited by static electricity, as a bunch of German cows proved this week: German cows cause methane blast in Rasdorf - BBC News
Farts don’t contain nearly as much flammable gas as most folks think. Even if it did ignite, you’d get something about the size of a candle flame, for a fraction of a second.
And you know this how? :eek:
Interesting article Dan! Looks like one of my questions is answered.
As for the amount of methane produced by a human. I wonder if it depends on the type of food you eat. Also, I’m sure a larger fart would produce more flammable gas.
I guess my question now is "if the gas trapped under the sheets were to ignite, might the resulting “explosion”: (1) produce enough force to remove any sheets from the bed (2) light any bedding on fire (3) burn the occupant of the bed.
Nope, not everyone farts methane. Seems maybe half of people do. Those that do have at least one of a type of methane producing bacteria in their gut called methanogens. For some reason, anorexics tend to have more of them and produce higher quantities of methane in their flatus. Obese people tend to have few or no methanogens and more non-methane producing bacteria in the lactobacillus group.
So, are you fat? Then your farts probably aren’t flammable. 
Dave Barry needs to get right on this, but alas, the man has retired from regular column-writing. Tragically, without Dave Barry, exploding toilets and exploding cows explode in vain. 
My buddies and I as a kid were always burning off gas. It gives off a much larger flame than a candle. Most are yellowish with blue. I think it could possibly catch a light piece of cotton or something.
I’ve read that there are a small handful of documented cases in medical literature of patients spontaneously igniting on the operating table. Cauterizing instruments ignite gastrointestinal gases, and POOF!
what about static electricity and body products, perfume or waterproofing on the bed?
By watching Mythbusters, of course.
I hope Cecil addresses this question in one of his columns—not because I want to see what he would say, but because I want to see what Slug would draw.
Tell that to this farmer.
By lighting bubbles while taking a bath, perhaps. Obviates having a flame shoot up where it is not desired.
Well played, Duckster!