Synonyms
JP-4 (MIL-T-5624-L-Amd.1; wide cut) or JP-7 ( MIL-T-38219A-Amd.2; kerosene, low volatility); [ATSDR Case Studies # 32]
Category
Petroleum, Refined
Description
JP-4 is "composed mainly of alkanes in the C4 to C16 range. JP-7 is produced by blending kerosenes;" [ATSDR Case Studies]
Sources/Uses
About 85% of the aviation fuel used by the military is JP-4. JP-4 contains about 22% n-hexane and less than 0.5% benzene. [ATSDR Case Studies # 32] "Jet propulsion fuel 8 (JP-8), a volatile lipophilic kerosene-based fuel, is the main jet fuel used by the US Air Force (USAF). Because of its higher flash point and lower acute toxicity, JP-8 completely replaced JP-4 by 1995." [Reference #1]
Comments
Both JP-4 and JP-7 contain n-hexane, and peripheral neuropathy has been reported in chronically exposed workers. About one half of workers exposed to 500 ppm report symptoms of acute solvent intoxication, i.e., headache and giddiness. An evaluation of 12 workers with such symptoms after cleaning jet fuel cells failed to find any abnormalities of liver function tests. [ATSDR Case Studies # 32] Aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons cause trivial hepatic injury in animal experiments. [Haddad, 226t] See "Kerosene."
Skin Designation (ACGIH)
Yes
TLV (ACGIH)
200 mg/m3, total hydrocarbon vapor
Explanatory Notes
Regulated by OSHA as petroleum distillates; JP-4 has an odor threshold of about 1 ppm; [ATSDR Case Studies # 32] JP-3 and JP-4 are classified as NFPA flammability 3 while JP-1 and JP-5 are classified as NFPA flammability 2; [CAMEO]
NFPA
may ignite at ambient temp
Neurotoxin
Acute solvent syndrome
Hepatotoxin
Hepatoxic (a) from occupational exposure (secondary effect) or (b) in animal studies or in humans after ingestion
Diseases
Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:
Processes
Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: