Gasoline

Agent Name
Gasoline
CAS Number
86290-81-5
Major Category
Solvents
Synonyms
Motor fuel; Motor spirits; Natural gasoline; Petrol; [NIOSH] UN1203
Category
Petroleum, Refined
Description
Clear liquid with a characteristic odor; [NIOSH]
Sources/Uses
Gasoline is a complex mixture of volatile hydrocarbons (paraffins, cycloparaffins, and aromatics. [NIOSH] U.S. gasoline contains about 1% benzene and about 1% n-hexane. Gasoline additives include organic lead, ethylene dibromide, ethanol, methanol, methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE), and tertiary butyl ether (TBE). [ATSDR Case Studies #31]
Comments
TSCA Definition 2008: A mixture of natural gas distillates (mainly saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons) with carbon numbers of C4 to C8 and boiling points of -20 deg C to 120 deg C; [ChemIDplus] Gasoline inhalation exposures to the general public during self-service automobile refueling are not appear a significant health risk--2 minute exposures to approximately 200 ppm gasoline and 1 ppm benzene. (15 min. STELs are 500 ppm and 5 ppm, respectively.) Misuse of gasoline as a solvent or cleaner can cause skin and eye irritation and CNS toxicity after extensive overexposure. [ATSDR Case Studies #31] Gasoline is in the list of "Some volatile substances which may be abused by inhalation" published on the web site of the U.N. International Drug Control Programme, indicating its potential to cause narcosis in workers. [Flanagan et al. Volatile Substance Abuse] Acute tubular necrosis has been reported after heavy and repeated skin exposures to gasoline, turpentine, petroleum naphtha, and diesel oil. [Rosenstock, p. 577] Gasoline C8-C10 causes trivial liver injury in animal studies; No known injury in human cases; [Haddad, p. 226t]
Biomedical References

Exposure Assessment

Skin Designation (ACGIH)
Insufficient data
TLV (ACGIH)
300 ppm
STEL (ACGIH)
500 ppm
Odor Threshold Low
0.12 ppm
Odor Threshold High
0.15 ppm
Explanatory Notes
VP = 400-775 mmHg @ 20 deg C; [CHEMINFO]; Flash point = -36 deg F; Recognition odor thresholds from CHEMINFO;
Half Life
Elimination rates of components, e.g., benzene, vary; [TDR, p. 730]
NFPA
may ignite at ambient temp
ERPG-1
200 ppm
ERPG-2
1000 ppm
ERPG-3
4000 ppm

Adverse Effects

Neurotoxin
Acute solvent syndrome
Hepatotoxin
Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion
Nephrotoxin
Yes
IARC Carcinogen
Possible (2b)
ACGIH Carcinogen
Confirmed Animal

Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: