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a Site Safety and Health Plan Petroleum Hydrocarbon Contamination Terracon Project#67047008 Page 5 GASOLINE(Cont'd.) i I ppm.(6,7) Mild dizziness was experienced by volunteers exposed for 1 hour to 2600 ppm. Pronounced dizziness was experienced by volunteers after about 5 minutes exposure to i about 1100 ppm.(6) Other CNS effects such as headache, lack of appetite, drowsiness and incoordination can occur. In one case, exposure for a few minutes to very high concentrations (above 5000 ppm) of aviation gasoline caused unconsciousness, pulmonary edema (a life-threatening accumulation of fluid in the lungs) and death.(15) SKIN CONTACT : When gasoline is NOT trapped against the skin and can freely evaporate, it is probably only mildly irritating or not irritating. However, case reports indicate that when gasoline is trapped against the skin (clothing is soaked in gasoline, skin is in contact with a puddle) for a Ion period g p (probably more than 30 minutes), serious burns and skin loss may � occur. Absorption through the skin occurs, but is normally not significant.(1,8) EYE CONTACT : Irritation reported by volunteers exposed to vapour concentrations as low as 164 ppm for 30 minutes.(7) The liquid may cause temporary pain if splashed in the eye(s), but probably does not cause permanent damage. No significant irritation was observed in studies with rabbits. INGESTION : Gasoline is moderately toxic if ingested. It may cause burning in the mouth, throat and chest as well as stomach irritation, nausea, vomiting and cyanosis (bluish discoloration of the fingertips, toes, lips and other extremities). Central nervous symptom depression, such as unconsciousness and coma, can occur. Inhalation of gasoline into the lungs (aspiration) can occur while gasoline is in the mouth, being swallowed or during vomiting. Aspiration often occurs when gasoline is siphoned by mouth. The aspiration of even a small amount (less than an ounce) of gasoline into the lungs is very hazardous and may cause death. Aspirated gasoline can cause chemical pneumonitis (inflammation of the lungs) and/or pulmonary edema (a life- threatening accumulation of fluid in the lungs).(1,11,12,13) EFFECTS OF LONG-TERM (CHRONIC) EXPOSURE : EFFECTS ON THE BLOOD: There are reports of effects on the blood in gasoline tanker crewmen and painters who were exposed to gasoline.(5)These workers were probably exposed to other chemicals and therefore it is not possible to establish a causal relationship. However, benzene is known to cause harmful effects on the blood and may be present in gasoline in small amounts. Ia EFFECTS ON THE PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM: Gasoline is composed of different paraffins (alkanes) such as n-hexane. Prolonged and/or repeated exposure to n-hexane can cause irreversible damage to the peripheral nervous system. Whether or not exposure to gasoline can cause this effect depends on the presence of n- hexane and its concentration and on the degree and duration of exposure." i 5 f . J