Methane (CED0000047)

Methane (CH4) is a gas at room temperature with an average molecular weight of 16.04 g/mol. Methane belongs to the alkanes, a subclass of saturated hydrocarbons within the organic compounds. This endogenous compound is detected in the liver, kidney, intestine, platelet, muscle, fibroblasts, and adipose tissue. It is released from 78 recorded sources, including household items such as coins, watch chains, and credit card holders; building and construction materials like roofs, floors, and ceilings; food processing and cookware including fermentation processes for beer and food preservation; household cleaning and consumer products such as bleaching agents and match receptacles; and electrical and electronic equipment including amplifiers, antennas, and adjustable resistors. Methane serves various roles, acting as a bacterial metabolite, a greenhouse gas (PMC11223495, PMC11277516, PMC11533516, PMC11927078, PMC11942289, PMC12500755, PMC12540302, PMC13257014, PMC12395325, PMC13193056), and a fossil fuel (PMC11223495, PMC11277516, PMC11533516, PMC11927078, PMC11942289, PMC12500755, PMC12540302, PMC13257014, PMC12395325, PMC13193056). Industrially, it is used as a fuel (PMC11219420, PMC4581186), filler (PMC6781041, PMC8399615), flame retardant (PMC8512715), catalyst (PMC6631525, PMC9036607), reducing agent (PMC5663740), and Lewis acid (PMC10515711). Biologically, it functions as an antimicrobial agent (PMC6429148), electron donor (PMC7875889), electron acceptor (PMC11324737), and explosive (PMC11546596). Inhalation is a documented exposure route (PMC11597578, PMC5039077, PMC5876134). Methane is associated with inflammation (PMC6207688), asthma (PMC10189228), lung cancer (PMC10189228), and an increase in gout (PMC13307085). It serves as a biomarker for lung cancer (PMC12448920). Additionally, it is used as a treatment for cancer (PMC6584033) and has therapeutic effects on diabetic retinopathy and myocardial infarction (PMC5434237).