Gas ranges have a vent to the outside. Propane stoves do not. This makes all the difference in the world. Propane stoves come with a warning not to use them in an enclosed space. Typical warning:
This appliance can produce carbon monoxide
which has no odor.
• Using it in an enclosed space can kill you.
• Never use this appliance in an enclosed space
such as a camper, tent, car or home.
I would agree in a very small enclosed space. If you have a gas range the flame is righ there and it is not vented, ditto with the gas water heater.
Here are some answers:
Exposure to high levels of propane fuel occurs generally only while filling tanks or from a leak from the tank or fuel delivery system. Propane gas is heavier than air; therefore leakage from a vehicle parked or stored near an unventilated pit or a lower level room is a hazard.
Brief exposures to concentrations of propane up to 10,000 parts propane per million parts of air (ppm) do not cause any symptoms in humans. Exposures to very high concentrations of propane (100,000 ppm) can produce slight dizziness after a few minutes of exposure. At extremely high concentrations (several hundred thousand parts per million), propane acts as an asphyxiant by displacing oxygen. This means one could suffocate if exposed to high enough concentrations of propane because it dilutes the oxygen in the air.
There have only been a very few studies of accidental overexposure to propane; victims reported symptoms of disorientation, excitation, headache and vomiting.
In most Canadian jurisdictions the occupational exposure limit for propane is 1,000 parts per million, averaged over an 8-hour work day or a 40-hour work week. The occupational health and safety authority in each province or territory should be consulted for the latest information on exposure limits for propane.
Propane gas is very flammable and should be considered as a fire hazard.
What are hazards of propane combustion products?
Complete combustion of propane results in the formation of carbon dioxide and water vapour. Carbon monoxide is a by-product of combustion when there is not enough oxygen to burn the propane completely.
Carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide are hazards when propane-powered equipment is used in enclosed, poorly ventilated areas. Symptoms of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide overexposure include headache, fatigue, dizziness and nausea. Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas that interferes with the ability of the red blood cells to carry oxygen. Exposure to very high concentrations of carbon monoxide (more than 4,000 ppm) can result in coma or death.
Because carbon dioxide is an asphyxiant gas, exposure to extremely high concentrations (above 100,000 ppm) can result in death. Such life-threatening concentrations are very unlikely to occur in most workplace situations. However, symptoms of headache, fatigue and dizziness may show that there is inadequate ventilation in the workplace. The frequency of complaints of these symptoms increases as the carbon dioxide levels increase above 800-1,000 ppm.
Based on this information, I would surmise that the short term use of a propane stove in a typical home situation would be perfectly safe, since you could simply open the door or window to the outside to provide adequate oxygen to support proper combustion of the propane.
Been there and done it quite safely.
G