Gasoline

:Petrol (petroleum spirit) redirects here. For the seabird, see petrel, spelt with an 'e'.

Dangers

Many of the non-aliphatic hydrocarbons naturally present in gasoline (especially aromatic ones like benzene), as well as many anti-knocking additives, are carcinogenic. Because of this, any large-scale or ongoing leaks of gasoline pose a threat to the public's health and the environment, should the gasoline reach a public supply of drinking water. The chief risks of such leaks come not from vehicles, but from gasoline delivery truck accidents and leaks from storage tanks. Because of this risk, most (underground) storage tanks now have extensive measures in place to detect and prevent any such leaks, such as sacrificial anodes. Gasoline is rather volatile (meaning it readily evaporates), requiring that storage tanks on land and in vehicles be properly sealed. But the high volatility also means that it will easily ignite in cold weather conditions, unlike diesel for example. However, certain measures must be in place to allow appropriate venting to ensure the level of pressure is similar on the inside and outside. Gasoline also reacts dangerously with certain common chemicals; for example, gasoline and crystal Dr?no react together in a spontaneous combustion.

Related Topics:
Benzene - Carcinogenic - Public's health - Drinking water - Sacrificial anode - Volatile - Evaporates - Crystal - Dr?no - Spontaneous combustion

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Gasoline is also one of the sources of pollutant gases. Even gasoline which does not contain lead or sulfur compounds produces carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide in the exhaust of the engine which is running on it.

Related Topics:
Lead - Sulfur - Compounds - Carbon dioxide - Nitrogen oxide - Carbon monoxide - Exhaust - Engine

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