Material Safety Data Sheet – Diesel Fuel
Identification
Product Name: Diesel Fuel
Synonyms: Diesel Oil, Gas Oil, D2, Automotive Diesel
CAS Number: 68334-30-5
Intended Use: Automotive and machinery fuel in engines designed for diesel fuel
Supplier: Distributed nationally by major oil companies and commercial chemical suppliers
Emergency Contact: Refer to local poison control or supplier emergency helpline (typically provided on supply invoice)
Address: Head offices of manufacturers, local fueling stations, transportation depots
Hazard Identification
Physical State: Liquid
Flammability: Highly flammable petroleum product
Hazard Statements: May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways, causes skin irritation, may cause drowsiness or dizziness, very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects
Signal Word: Danger
Pictograms: Flame, Health Hazard, Exclamation Mark, Environment
Route of Exposure: Skin contact, inhalation, ingestion
Precautionary Statements: Avoid breathing vapors, absorbents, protective gear essential for cleanup
Composition / Information on Ingredients
Main Ingredient: Diesel Fuel (C10-C20 hydrocarbons, < 95%)
Additives: Lubricity improvers, cetane enhancers, anti-foaming agents, dyes, sulfur (typical range below 15 mg/kg for ULSD)
Other Components: Aromatic hydrocarbons (10-40%), aliphatic hydrocarbons (50-90%), trace metals and nitrogen-containing compounds
Impurities: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), potential sulfur compounds, traces of water or particulates from handling
First Aid Measures
Inhalation: Remove to fresh air immediately, loosen tight clothing, supply oxygen if breathing is difficult, seek medical care if symptoms persist
Skin Contact: Wash exposed area with soap and water for several minutes, remove contaminated clothing, consult healthcare provider for irritation
Eye Contact: Rinse eyes gently for several minutes with water, remove contact lenses after initial rinse, seek medical attention for persistent irritation
Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting due to aspiration risk, rinse mouth with water if conscious, call emergency service or poison control promptly
Additional Notes: Always consult professionals for severe exposure, keep safety shower and eyewash nearby in storage or handling areas
Fire-Fighting Measures
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Use foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide extinguishers, avoid water jet as it may spread flames
Unsuitable Extinguishing Media: Direct water jet risks spreading fire on liquid surfaces
Specific Hazards: Burning diesel releases toxic gases (carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, unburnt hydrocarbons)
Special Protective Equipment: Firefighters require self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective clothing
Advice for Firefighters: Approach from upwind, isolate fuel supply, cool nearby containers with water spray if exposed to flames, avoid runoff into sewers and waterways
Accidental Release Measures
Personal Precautions: Remove ignition sources, ventilate area, restrict entry to unnecessary personnel, wear appropriate personal protective equipment
Environmental Precautions: Prevent combustion residues and liquid from entering drains, soil, or bodies of water
Containment Methods: Use non-sparking tools, absorb spilled material with inert material such as sand or earth, use dikes to contain runoff
Clean-Up Procedures: Place absorbed materials in sealed containers, label for hazardous waste disposal, decontaminate area using detergent and water
Reporting: Notify authorities if release meets regulatory reportable quantities or reaches surface waters
Handling and Storage
Handling: Avoid inhalation of vapors and repeated skin or eye contact, keep away from hot surfaces, static discharge, and open flames, use non-sparking equipment, ground all transfer containers
Storage: Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated area, keep containers tightly closed and properly labeled, avoid direct sunlight, segregate from strong oxidizers, acids, chlorine compounds
Incompatible Materials: Store away from strong oxidizing agents or sources of heat, incompatible with acids and halogens
Precautions: Follow regional and national fire codes, maintain fire-suppression equipment accessible in storage areas
Exposure Controls and Personal Protection
Exposure Limits: Recommended exposure limit by ACGIH (TLV): 100 mg/m3 (as total hydrocarbons, inhalable fraction), OSHA PEL not formally established for diesel
Engineering Controls: Use local exhaust ventilation, maintain adequate general ventilation, ground all storage containers to prevent static accumulation
Respiratory Protection: Use certified respirators for organic vapor in confined or high-exposure settings
Skin Protection: Chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile, neoprene), coveralls preferred
Eye Protection: Chemical splash goggles required
Other Protective Equipment: Safety shoes, face shields for splash risk, eyewash stations and emergency showers
Physical and Chemical Properties
Physical State: Yellow to light brown oily liquid
Odor: Mild petroleum odour
Boiling Point: Approximately 150-370°C (varies by region and refining method)
Melting Point: Less than -10°C
Vapor Pressure: 0.4 kPa at 20°C
Vapor Density: >1 (air = 1)
Density: 0.82-0.86 g/cm3 at 15°C
Solubility in Water: Negligible
pH: Not applicable
Flash Point: Above 52°C (closed cup, varies by blend)
Auto-Ignition Temperature: Approx. 210°C
Viscosity: Typically 1.3–4.1 mm2/s at 40°C
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): >3.3
Stability and Reactivity
Chemical Stability: Stable under recommended storage temperatures and normal use
Conditions to Avoid: Ignition sources, high heat, static electricity, strong sunlight
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizers (chlorine, nitric acid), acids, alkalis, halogens
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Oxides of carbon, unburned hydrocarbons, sulfur compounds during combustion
Hazardous Reactions: Will not polymerize, risk of explosion if in contact with strong oxidants
Toxicological Information
Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin and eye contact, rarely ingestion
Effects of Short-term Exposure: Irritation to skin and eyes, headache, dizziness, drowsiness from vapors, pulmonary aspiration hazard if swallowed
Long-term Exposure: Dermatitis, potential risk of organ damage (liver, kidneys) with chronic exposure, increased cancer risk due to PAH content in unrefined diesel
Acute Toxicity: LD50 (oral, rat): > 5 g/kg; LC50 (inhalation, rat): > 4 mg/L (4 hr exposure)
Carcinogenicity: Classified by IARC as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B), links mainly to high-PAH blends
Other Data: Sensitization rare, but possible with regular skin exposure; No evidence for mutagenicity in standard tests
Ecological Information
Aquatic Toxicity: Very toxic to aquatic life, causes long-term harm to organisms in water and sediments
Persistence and Degradability: Slow natural breakdown in soil and water, may persist for months
Bioaccumulation: Hydrocarbons accumulate in aquatic organisms, potential for biomagnification
Soil Mobility: Moderate, can leach into groundwater with prolonged exposure
Other Harmful Effects: Oil sheen on water surfaces, smothers aquatic plants, disrupts natural cycles through chemical/oxygen stress
Environmental Precautions: Spills need fast response to prevent widespread contamination and community impacts
Disposal Considerations
Waste Handling: Treat as hazardous waste under national and local regulations
Disposal Methods: Recycle waste diesel where facilities exist, incinerate only in permitted facilities, avoid direct discharge to environment
Container Disposal: Clean thoroughly before recycling or disposal, puncture empty containers to prevent reuse
Additional Information: Follow all federal, state, and local guidelines for hazardous waste transportation and disposal
Precautions: Never pour into drains, soil, open water; track and document all disposal for regulatory compliance
Transport Information
UN Number: UN 1202
Proper Shipping Name: Diesel Fuel
Hazard Class: 3 (Flammable Liquid)
Packing Group: III
Labels: Flammable liquid
Special Transport Conditions: Secure containers in upright position, protect from physical damage and exposure to sun and heat
Regulatory Requirements: Subject to International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG), International Air Transport Association (IATA), US Department of Transportation (DOT), and comparable national transport codes
Additional Notes: Emergency response guides for highway/rail/marine shipments recommend foam for fire, containment for spills, proper documentation of quantity and hazard class
Regulatory Information
National Regulations: Falls under US OSHA Hazard Communication Standard, Canada WHMIS, European REACH, and similar frameworks
Inventories: Listed in US TSCA, EU EINECS/ELINCS, Canadian DSL/NDSL, Australian AICS, others
Other Legal Limits: Subject to SARA Title III reporting, CERCLA reporting for large releases, Clean Water Act for environmental discharges
Labeling Requirements: GHS-compliant hazard rating and safety recommendations, local languages as required by jurisdiction
Worker Protection: Employers must inform, train, and provide safety gear under national labor and safety codes, with regular health monitoring for at-risk roles
Additional Local Regulations: Storage quantity and tank design, spillage response, fire protection, safety data updating at least every 3 years
