California Workers Learn About Occupational Exposure Risks to Gasoline

According to the California Energy Commission (CEC), gasoline is the most used transportation fuel in California. Approximately 90% of all gasoline in the state is consumed by light-duty cars, pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles. As recently as 2015, 15.1 billion gallons of gasoline were sold in the state.

The fuel is made up of 90% petroleum based gasoline (as specified by the California Air Resources Board) and 10% ethanol. A number of chemical additives are also often added in small quantities to prevent engine knock, increase octane ratings, reduce pollution, and for other purposes.

While California has been on the forefront in its attempt to limit greenhouse gases and particulate matter produced from combustion engines powered by fossil fuels, exposure to gasoline and its vapors is also a potential health issue. This is a significant issue in the state as there are numerous large oil refineries and the CEC listed almost 8,500 retail fuel stations in 2016.

The Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry (ATSDR) reported that in addition to the fact that inhaling or swallowing large amounts of gasoline can cause death, “Inhaling high concentrations of gasoline is irritating to the lungs when breathed in and irritating to the lining of the stomach when swallowed. Gasoline is also a skin irritant. Breathing in high levels of gasoline for short periods or swallowing large amounts of gasoline may also cause harmful effects on the nervous system. Serious nervous system effects include coma and the inability to breathe, while less serious effects include dizziness and headaches.”

“With tens of thousands of residents in occupations where they could come into regular skin or inhalation contact with gasoline, it’s important that workers understand the risks associated with prolonged exposure,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “NIOSH even lists gasoline as a potential occupational carcinogen. To help in these matters, LA Testing offers comprehensive industrial hygiene and environmental testing services to identify these types of exposure risks. Not only is this testing instrumental for protecting workers from occupational hazards, but it’s also critical for keeping companies in regulatory compliance.”

LA Testing recently sponsored an educational video about occupational and environmental exposures to gasoline that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/TeNVnhBjaTE.

To learn more about this or other occupational, environmental, air quality, health and safety testing services, please visit www.LATesting.com, email  info@LATesting.com  or call (800) 755-1794.


About LA Testing
LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other chemicals.  In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, CDC Elite, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states.  LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro and San Diego.

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