Skip to main content
PMC home page
Environmental Health Perspectives logoLink to Environmental Health Perspectives
. 1993 Dec;101(Suppl 6):115–131. doi: 10.1289/ehp.93101s6115

Acute toxicity of gasoline and some additives.

E Reese 1, R D Kimbrough 1
PMCID: PMC1520023  PMID: 8020435

Abstract

The acute toxicity of gasoline; its components benzene, toluene, and xylene; and the additives ethanol, methanol, and methyl tertiary butyl ether are reviewed. All of these chemicals are only moderately to mildly toxic at acute doses. Because of their volatility, these compounds are not extensively absorbed dermally unless the exposed skin is occluded. Absorption through the lungs and the gastrointestinal tract is quite efficient. After ingestion, the principal danger for a number of these chemicals, particularly gasoline, is aspiration pneumonia, which occurs mainly in children. It is currently not clear whether aspiration pneumonia would still be a problem if gasoline were diluted with ethanol or methanol. During the normal use of gasoline or mixtures of gasoline and the other solvents as a fuel, exposures would be much lower than the doses that have resulted in poisoning. No acute toxic health effects would occur during the normal course of using automotive fuels.

Full text

PDF
115

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. AINSWORTH R. W. Petrol-vapour poisoning. Br Med J. 1960 May 21;1(5185):1547–1548. doi: 10.1136/bmj.1.5185.1547. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Allen M. J., Borody T. J., Bugliosi T. F., May G. R., LaRusso N. F., Thistle J. L. Rapid dissolution of gallstones by methyl tert-butyl ether. Preliminary observations. N Engl J Med. 1985 Jan 24;312(4):217–220. doi: 10.1056/NEJM198501243120406. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Andersen I., Lundqvist G. R., Mølhave L., Pedersen O. F., Proctor D. F., Vaeth M., Wyon D. P. Human response to controlled levels of toluene in six-hour exposures. Scand J Work Environ Health. 1983 Oct;9(5):405–418. doi: 10.5271/sjweh.2393. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. BENNETT I. L., Jr, CARY F. H., MITCHELL G. L., Jr, COOPER M. N. Acute methyl alcohol poisoning: a review based on experiences in an outbreak of 323 cases. Medicine (Baltimore) 1953 Dec;32(4):431–463. doi: 10.1097/00005792-195312000-00002. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. BENTON C. D., Jr, CALHOUN E. P., Jr The ocular effects of methyl alcohol poisoning; report of a catastrophe involving 320 persons. Am J Ophthalmol. 1953 Dec;36(12):1677–1685. doi: 10.1016/0002-9394(53)90002-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Bakinson M. A., Jones R. D. Gassings due to methylene chloride, xylene, toluene, and styrene reported to Her Majesty's Factory Inspectorate 1961-80. Br J Ind Med. 1985 Mar;42(3):184–190. doi: 10.1136/oem.42.3.184. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Baumann K., Angerer J. Occupational chronic exposure to organic solvents. VI. Formic acid concentration in blood and urine as an indicator of methanol exposure. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 1979 Jan 15;42(3-4):241–249. doi: 10.1007/BF00377778. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Benignus V. A., Muller K. E., Barton C. N., Bittikofer J. A. Toluene levels in blood and brain of rats during and after respiratory exposure. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 1981 Dec;61(3):326–334. doi: 10.1016/0041-008x(81)90353-7. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Black K. A., Eells J. T., Noker P. E., Hawtrey C. A., Tephly T. R. Role of hepatic tetrahydrofolate in the species difference in methanol toxicity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1985 Jun;82(11):3854–3858. doi: 10.1073/pnas.82.11.3854. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Bonnichsen R., Maehly A. C., Moeller M. Poisoning by volatile compounds. I. Aromatic hydrocarbons. J Forensic Sci. 1966 Apr;11(2):186–204. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Brady J. F., Xiao F., Ning S. M., Yang C. S. Metabolism of methyl tertiary-butyl ether by rat hepatic microsomes. Arch Toxicol. 1990;64(2):157–160. doi: 10.1007/BF01974403. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Carpenter C. P., Geary D. L., Jr, Myers R. C., Nachreiner D. J., Sullivan L. J., King J. M. Petroleum hydrocarbon toxicity studies. XIII. Animal and human response to vapors of toluene concentrate. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 1976 Jun;36(3):473–490. doi: 10.1016/0041-008x(76)90227-1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Carpenter C. P., Kinkead E. R., Geary D. L., Jr, Sullivan L. J., King J. M. Petroleum hydrocarbon toxicity studies. V. Animal and human response to vapors of mixed xylenes. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 1975 Sep;33(3):543–558. doi: 10.1016/0041-008x(75)90079-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. Clay K. L., Murphy R. C., Watkins W. D. Experimental methanol toxicity in the primate: analysis of metabolic acidosis. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 1975 Oct;34(1):49–61. doi: 10.1016/0041-008x(75)90174-x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. Conaway C. C., Schroeder R. E., Snyder N. K. Teratology evaluation of methyl tertiary butyl ether in rats and mice. J Toxicol Environ Health. 1985;16(6):797–809. doi: 10.1080/15287398509530789. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. DAVIS A., SCHAFER L. J., BELL Z. G. The effects on human volunteers of exposure to air containing gasoline vapor. Arch Environ Health. 1960 Dec;1:548–554. doi: 10.1080/00039896.1960.10662730. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  17. De Rosa E., Bartolucci G. B., Sigon M., Callegaro R., Perbellini L., Brugnone F. Hippuric acid and ortho-cresol as biological indicators of occupational exposure to toluene. Am J Ind Med. 1987;11(5):529–537. doi: 10.1002/ajim.4700110506. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. Dempster A. M., Evans H. L., Snyder C. A. The temporal relationship between behavioral and hematological effects of inhaled benzene. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 1984 Oct;76(1):195–203. doi: 10.1016/0041-008x(84)90042-5. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  19. Drew R. T., Fouts J. R. The lack of effects of pretreatment with phenobarbital and chlorpromazine on the acute toxicity of benzene in rats. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 1974 Jan;27(1):183–193. doi: 10.1016/0041-008x(74)90185-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  20. Edminster S. C., Bayer M. J. Recreational gasoline sniffing: acute gasoline intoxication and latent organolead poisoning. Case reports and literature review. J Emerg Med. 1985;3(5):365–370. doi: 10.1016/0736-4679(85)90321-x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  21. Eells J. T., Black K. A., Makar A. B., Tedford C. E., Tephly T. R. The regulation of one-carbon oxidation in the rat by nitrous oxide and methionine. Arch Biochem Biophys. 1982 Dec;219(2):316–326. doi: 10.1016/0003-9861(82)90162-x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  22. Eells J. T., Black K. A., Tedford C. E., Tephly T. R. Methanol toxicity in the monkey: effects of nitrous oxide and methionine. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 1983 Nov;227(2):349–353. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  23. Eells J. T., Makar A. B., Noker P. E., Tephly T. R. Methanol poisoning and formate oxidation in nitrous oxide-treated rats. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 1981 Apr;217(1):57–61. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  24. Fischman C. M., Oster J. R. Toxic effects of toluene: a new cause of high anion gap metabolic acidosis. JAMA. 1979 Apr 20;241(16):1713–1715. doi: 10.1001/jama.241.16.1713. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  25. Frezza M., di Padova C., Pozzato G., Terpin M., Baraona E., Lieber C. S. High blood alcohol levels in women. The role of decreased gastric alcohol dehydrogenase activity and first-pass metabolism. N Engl J Med. 1990 Jan 11;322(2):95–99. doi: 10.1056/NEJM199001113220205. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  26. GERARDE H. W. Toxicologiccal studies on hydrocarbons. IX. The aspiration hazard and toxicity of hydrocarbons and hydrocarbon mixtures. Arch Environ Health. 1963 Mar;6:329–341. doi: 10.1080/00039896.1963.10663403. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  27. GILGER A. P., POTTS A. M. Studies on the visual toxicity of methanol. V. The role of acidosis in experimental methanol poisoning. Am J Ophthalmol. 1955 Feb;39(2 Pt 2):63–86. doi: 10.1016/0002-9394(55)90010-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  28. Gabele P. A. Characterization of emissions from a variable gasoline/methanol fueled car. J Air Waste Manage Assoc. 1990 Mar;40(3):296–304. doi: 10.1080/10473289.1990.10466685. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  29. Garg B. D., Olson M. J., Li L. C., Roy A. K. Phagolysosomal alterations induced by unleaded gasoline in epithelial cells of the proximal convoluted tubules of male rats: effect of dose and treatment duration. J Toxicol Environ Health. 1989;26(1):101–118. doi: 10.1080/15287398909531236. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  30. Garriott J., Petty C. S. Death from inhalant abuse: toxicological and pathological evaluation of 34 cases. Clin Toxicol. 1980 May;16(3):305–315. doi: 10.3109/15563658008989954. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  31. Geller E., Cronan J. J., Dorman G. S., Rocchio M. Success of contact chemolysis in calcified cholesterol gallstones. R I Med J. 1989 Jan;72(1):7–11. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  32. Geller I., Hartmann R. J., Messiha F. S. Biochemical aspects of toluene exposure in the rat as a function of sex. Proc West Pharmacol Soc. 1983;26:197–199. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  33. Heinrich R., Angerer J. Occupational chronic exposure to organic solvents. X. Biological monitoring parameters for methanol exposure. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 1982;50(4):341–349. doi: 10.1007/BF00377830. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  34. Julkunen R. J., Di Padova C., Lieber C. S. First pass metabolism of ethanol--a gastrointestinal barrier against the systemic toxicity of ethanol. Life Sci. 1985 Aug 12;37(6):567–573. doi: 10.1016/0024-3205(85)90470-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  35. KAYE S., HAAG H. B. Terminal blood alcohol concentrations in ninety-four fatal cases of acute alcoholism. J Am Med Assoc. 1957 Oct 5;165(5):451–452. doi: 10.1001/jama.1957.72980230001006. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  36. KEENEY A. H., MELLINKOFF S. M. Methyl alcohol poisoning. Ann Intern Med. 1951 Feb;34(2):331–338. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-34-2-331. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  37. Kearney C. A., Dunham D. B. Gasoline vapor exposures at a high volume service station. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J. 1986 Sep;47(9):535–539. doi: 10.1080/15298668691390188. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  38. Kimura E. T., Ebert D. M., Dodge P. W. Acute toxicity and limits of solvent residue for sixteen organic solvents. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 1971 Aug;19(4):699–704. doi: 10.1016/0041-008x(71)90301-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  39. LESTER D., GREENBERG L. A. The inhalation of ethyl alcohol by man. I. Industrial hygiene and medicolegal aspects. II. Individuals treated with tetraethylthiuram disulfide. Q J Stud Alcohol. 1951 Jun;12(2):168–178. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  40. Lauwerys R. R., Dath T., Lachapelle J. M., Buchet J. P., Roels H. The influence of two barrier creams on the percutaneous absorption of m-xylene in man. J Occup Med. 1978 Jan;20(1):17–20. doi: 10.1097/00043764-197801000-00005. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  41. Makar A. B., Tephly T. R. Methanol poisoning VI: role of folic acid in the production of methanol poisoning in the rat. J Toxicol Environ Health. 1977 May;2(5):1201–1209. doi: 10.1080/15287397709529518. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  42. McCoy H. G., Cipolle R. J., Ehlers S. M., Sawchuk R. J., Zaske D. E. Severe methanol poisoning. Application of a pharmacokinetic model for ethanol therapy and hemodialysis. Am J Med. 1979 Nov;67(5):804–807. doi: 10.1016/0002-9343(79)90738-1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  43. McDermott H. J., Killiany S. E., Jr Quest for a gasoline TLV. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J. 1978 Feb;39(2):110–117. doi: 10.1080/0002889778507724. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  44. McDougal J. N., Jepson G. W., Clewell H. J., 3rd, Gargas M. L., Andersen M. E. Dermal absorption of organic chemical vapors in rats and humans. Fundam Appl Toxicol. 1990 Feb;14(2):299–308. doi: 10.1016/0272-0590(90)90209-3. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  45. Morley R., Eccleston D. W., Douglas C. P., Greville W. E., Scott D. J., Anderson J. Xylene poisoning: a report on one fatal case and two cases of recovery after prolonged unconsciousness. Br Med J. 1970 Aug 22;3(5720):442–443. doi: 10.1136/bmj.3.5720.442. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  46. Olson M. J., Johnson J. T., Reidy C. A. A comparison of male rat and human urinary proteins: implications for human resistance to hyaline droplet nephropathy. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 1990 Mar 1;102(3):524–536. doi: 10.1016/0041-008x(90)90047-x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  47. Ovrum P., Hultengren M., Lindqvist T. Exposure to toluene in a photogravure printing plant. Concentration in ambient air and uptake in the body. Scand J Work Environ Health. 1978 Sep;4(3):237–245. doi: 10.5271/sjweh.2702. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  48. PARKE D. V., WILLIAMS R. T. Studies in detoxication. XLIX. The metabolism of benzene containing (14C1) benzene. Biochem J. 1953 May;54(2):231–238. doi: 10.1042/bj0540231. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  49. Page N. P., Mehlman M. Health effects of gasoline refueling vapors and measured exposures at service stations. Toxicol Ind Health. 1989 Oct;5(5):869–890. doi: 10.1177/074823378900500521. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  50. Piver W. T. Potential dilemma: the methods of meeting automotive exhaust emission standards of the clean air act of 1970. Environ Health Perspect. 1974 Aug;8:165–190. doi: 10.1289/ehp.748165. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  51. Pyykkö K. Time-course of effects of toluene on microsomal enzymes in rat liver, kidney and lung during and after inhalation exposure. Chem Biol Interact. 1983 Jun;44(3):299–310. doi: 10.1016/0009-2797(83)90057-1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  52. Riihimäki V., Pfäffli P. Percutaneous absorption of solvent vapors in man. Scand J Work Environ Health. 1978 Mar;4(1):73–85. doi: 10.5271/sjweh.2721. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  53. Savolainen H., Pfäffli P., Elovaara E. Biochemical effects of methyl tertiary-butyl ether in extended vapour exposure of rats. Arch Toxicol. 1985 Sep;57(4):285–288. doi: 10.1007/BF00324794. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  54. Savolainen K., Riihimäki V., Vaheri E., Linnoila M. Effects of xylene and alcohol on vestibular and visual functions in man. Scand J Work Environ Health. 1980 Jun;6(2):94–103. doi: 10.5271/sjweh.2628. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  55. Sedivec V., Flek J. The absorption, metabolism, and excretion of xylenes in man. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 1976 Jul 5;37(3):205–217. doi: 10.1007/BF00378419. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  56. Smith A. N., Scott J. A. Innovations in human genetics education. Genetic applications for health professionals: an outreach continuing-education model program. Am J Hum Genet. 1988 Oct;43(4):559–562. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  57. Vesell E. S., Page J. G., Passananti G. T. Genetic and environmental factors affecting ethanol metabolism in man. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 1971 Mar-Apr;12(2):192–201. doi: 10.1002/cpt1971122part1192. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  58. WOLF M. A., ROWE V. K., MCCOLLISTER D. D., HOLLINGSWORTH R. L., OYEN F. Toxicological studies of certain alkylated benzenes and benzene; experiments on laboratory animals. AMA Arch Ind Health. 1956 Oct;14(4):387–398. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  59. Weaver N. K. Gasoline toxicology. Implications for human health. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1988;534:441–451. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1988.tb30133.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  60. Withey R. J., Hall J. W. The joint toxic action of perchloroethylene with benzene or toluene in rats. Toxicology. 1975;4(1):5–15. doi: 10.1016/0300-483x(75)90017-7. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  61. Zeiner A. R., Paredes A., Christensen H. D. The role of acetaldehyde in mediating reactivity to an acute dose of ethanol among different racial groups. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 1979 Jan;3(1):11–18. doi: 10.1111/j.1530-0277.1979.tb04759.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Environmental Health Perspectives are provided here courtesy of National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

RESOURCES