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HAZARD EVALUATION Chemical Hazards Gasoline, diesel and jet fuels are the petroleum products most likely to be the sources of subsurface petroleum hydrocarbons . While the compositions of these fuels vary, they can be generally characterized. A typical composition of gasoline is approximately 80% paraffins (alkanes) , 6% olefins (alkenes) , and 14% aromatics . Additives (e .g. , ethylene dichloride, ethylene dibromide, tetraethyl lead, and tetramethyl lead) are present in small amounts. Diesel contains primarily paraffins and cycloparaffins in the C8 to C21 range and has very low levels of aromatic hydrocarbons . The compositions of jet fuels (Jet A, Jet B, and JP4) are strictly controlled: the major components are paraffins (in the C5 to C20 range) , less than 25% aromatics, and very low levels of olefins . Although the composition of gasoline varies, the acute effects are reported to be similar for all blends . Exposures to gasoline can occur by either inhalation or dermal contact . Inhaled gasoline generally acts as an anesthetic and mucous membrane irritant. Intoxication, headaches, blurred vision, dizziness, and nausea are the most commonly observed symptoms of exposure. Diesel fuel is not sufficiently volatile to constitute an acute inhalation hazard in unconfined spaces, nor is it readily absorbed through intact skin (but it can penetrate abraded skin) . Jet fuels have volatility characteristics between gasoline and diesel, but general do not constitute an acute inhalation hazard. The effects of acute overexposure are dizziness, headache, nausea, palpitation, and pressure in the chest. Dermal contact _ with gasoline, diesel, or jet fuel can defat the skin, which is noticed as drying of the skin. This can lead to skin irritation, infection, and dermatitis. When a petroleum fuel is released from a storage tank, the 3