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CAS Registry No.: 8006-61-9
Other Names: Automotive gasoline, Petrol, Unleaded gasoline
Main Uses: Fuel, industrial solvent
Appearance: Clear colourless - amber volatile liquid.
Odour: Gasoline-like
Canadian TDG: UN1203
B2 - Flammable Liquid; D2A - Very Toxic (Carcinogenicity)
Emergency Overview: Clear colourless - amber volatile liquid. Gasoline-like odour. HIGHLY FLAMMABLE LIQUID AND VAPOUR. Distant ignition and flashback are possible. Can accumulate static charge. Can float on water and spread fire. CONFINED SPACE HAZARD. Can accumulate in hazardous amounts in low-lying areas especially inside confined spaces. May cause drowsiness and dizziness. SUSPECT CANCER HAZARD. Suspected of causing cancer. ASPIRATION hazard. May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways.
Main Routes of Exposure: Inhalation. Skin contact. Eye contact.
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC): Group 2B - Possibly carcinogenic to humans.
American Conference for Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH): A3 - Confirmed animal carcinogen.
Inhalation: Take precautions to prevent a fire (e.g., remove sources of ignition). Take precautions to ensure your own safety before attempting rescue (e.g., wear appropriate protective equipment). Move victim to fresh air. Call a Poison Centre or doctor if the victim feels unwell.
Skin Contact: Quickly take off contaminated clothing, shoes and leather goods (e.g., watchbands, belts). Quickly and gently blot or brush away excess chemical. Wash gently and thoroughly with lukewarm, gently flowing water and non-abrasive soap for 5 minutes. Call a Poison Centre or doctor if the victim feels unwell. Thoroughly clean clothing, shoes and leather goods before reuse or dispose of safely.
Eye Contact: Quickly and gently blot or brush chemical off the face. Immediately flush the contaminated eye(s) with lukewarm, gently flowing water for 5 minutes, while holding the eyelid(s) open. If irritation or pain persists, see a doctor.
Ingestion: Have victim rinse mouth with water. If vomiting occurs naturally, have victim lean forward to reduce risk of aspiration. Have victim rinse mouth with water again. Immediately call a Poison Centre or doctor.
First Aid Comments: All first aid procedures should be periodically reviewed by a doctor familiar with the chemical and its conditions of use in the workplace.
Flammable Properties: HIGHLY FLAMMABLE LIQUID. Can ignite at room temperature. Releases vapour that can form explosive mixture with air. Can be ignited by static discharge.
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Carbon dioxide, dry chemical powder, appropriate foam, water spray or fog. Foam manufacturers should be consulted for recommendations regarding types of foams and application rates.
Specific Hazards Arising from the Chemical: Liquid can float on water and may travel to distant locations and/or spread fire. Liquid can accumulate static charge by flow, splashing or agitation. Vapour may travel a considerable distance to a source of ignition and flash back to a leak or open container. Vapour may accumulate in hazardous amounts in low-lying areas especially inside confined spaces, resulting in a toxicity hazard. Closed containers may rupture violently when heated releasing contents. Thermal decomposition and combustion products are highly dependent on combustion conditions and the type of additives and impurities present. In a fire, the following hazardous materials may be generated: very toxic carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide; corrosive, oxidizing nitrogen oxides; very toxic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; corrosive sulfur oxides; and other chemicals.
Personal Precautions: Eliminate all ignition sources. Use grounded, explosion-proof equipment. Use personal protective equipment as required.
Methods for Containment and Clean-up: Stop or reduce leak if safe to do so. Small spills or leaks: contain and soak up spill with absorbent that does not react with spilled product. Do NOT use combustible materials such as sawdust. Flush spill area. Large spills or leaks: contact emergency services and manufacturer/supplier for advice.
Handling: Immediately report leaks, spills or failures of the safety equipment (e.g., ventilation system). Eliminate heat and ignition sources such as sparks, open flames, hot surfaces and static discharge. Post "No Smoking" signs. Do not use near welding operations or other high energy sources. Electrically bond and ground equipment. Ground clips must contact bare metal. Prevent accidental contact with incompatible chemicals.
Storage: Store in an area that is: cool, dry, well-ventilated, out of direct sunlight and away from heat and ignition sources, secure and separate from work areas. Electrically bond and ground containers. Ground clips must contact bare metal. Keep amount in storage to a minimum.
ACGIH® TLV® - TWA: 300 ppm A3
ACGIH® TLV® - STEL [C]: 500 ppm A3
Exposure Guideline Comments: TLV® = Threshold Limit Value. TWA = Time-Weighted Average. STEL = Short-term Exposure Limit. C = Ceiling limit. A3 = Animal carcinogen.
NOTE: In many (but not all) Canadian jurisdictions, the exposure limits are similar to the ACGIH® TLVs®. Since legislation varies by jurisdiction, contact your local jurisdiction for exact details. A list is available in the OSH Answers on Canadian Governmental Occupational Health & Safety Departments.
A list of which acts and regulations that cover exposure limits to chemical and biological agents is available on our website. Please note that while you can see the list of legislation for free, you will need a subscription to view the actual documentation.
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation, if general ventilation is not adequate to control amount in the air. Use non-sparking ventilation systems, approved explosion-proof equipment and intrinsically safe electrical systems in areas where this product is used and stored. Control static electricity discharges which includes bonding of equipment to ground.
Eye/Face Protection: Not required but it is good practice to wear safety glasses or chemical safety goggles.
Skin Protection: Wear chemical protective clothing e.g. gloves, aprons, boots. Suitable materials include: nitrile rubber, Viton®, Tychem® BR/LV, Tychem® Responder® CSM, Tychem® TK. Recommendations are NOT valid for very thin nitrile rubber gloves (0.3 mm or less).
Respiratory Protection:
At concentrations above the NIOSH REL, or where there is no REL, at any detectable concentration:
(APF = 10,000) Any self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode; or Any supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode in combination with an auxiliary self-contained positive-pressure breathing apparatus.
The NIOSH Recommended Exposure Limit (REL) for gasoline has not been established.
APF = Assigned Protection Factor
Recommendations apply only to National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) approved respirators. Refer to the NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards for more information.
NOTE: NIOSH has classified this substance as a potential occupational carcinogen, according to specific NIOSH criteria. This classification is reflected in these recommendations for respiratory protection, which specify that only the most reliable and protective respirators be worn at any detectable concentration. NIOSH has changed their policy on respiratory protection for possible carcinogens but not yet revised these recommendations for respiratory protection. The requirements in Canadian jurisdictions may vary.