Material Safety Data Sheet for Petrol (Gasoline)

Identification

Product Name: Petrol (Gasoline)
Synonyms: Motor fuel, Mogas, Super unleaded petrol
REACH Registration Number: 01-2119455851-35
CAS Number: 86290-81-5
Intended Use: Fuel for spark-ignition engines, such as those in cars, motorcycles, and small machinery
Supplier/Manufacturer: Major petroleum companies and refineries
Emergency Contact: National Poison Control or local fire department
Physical Appearance: Clear to light yellow liquid, strong characteristic odor
UN Number: 1203 (for transport)

Hazard Identification

Hazard Classification: Flammable liquid (Category 1), carcinogen (Category 2), specific target organ toxicity (Category 3, narcotic effects)
GHS Label Elements: Signal word: Danger; Hazard pictograms: Flame, Exclamation mark, Health hazard
Hazard Statements: Highly flammable liquid and vapor; causes skin irritation; may cause drowsiness or dizziness; suspected of causing cancer; toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects
Precautionary Statements: Keep away from heat, sparks, open flames; use explosion-proof equipment; ground and bond containers; wear protective gloves/eye protection
Potential Health Effects: Inhalation can cause headaches, dizziness, respiratory distress; skin contact dries or irritates; chronic exposure links to organ damage, cancer risk

Composition / Information on Ingredients

Main Components: Aliphatic hydrocarbons (~60–75%), Aromatic hydrocarbons (e.g., benzene, toluene; 20–35%), Olefins (up to 10%)
Hazardous Ingredients: Benzene (0.1–1%); Toluene (up to 20%); Ethylbenzene (up to 3%); Xylene isomers (up to 15%)
Other Ingredients: Oxygenates (ethanol or ethers, up to 10%, depending on regional regulations); Additives such as detergents and corrosion inhibitors (trace amounts)
Impurities: Sulfur compounds (ppm level), trace metals, and possible polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
Chemical Formula: Complex mixture, no single formula applies

First Aid Measures

General Advice: Move the exposed person away from the area into fresh air as soon as possible
Inhalation: Remove victim to fresh air and keep at rest in a position comfortable for breathing; provide oxygen if breathing is difficult; seek medical attention if symptoms appear
Skin Contact: Remove contaminated clothing immediately; wash exposed skin thoroughly with soap and water; do not use solvents or thinners; consult a doctor if irritation persists
Eye Contact: Rinse cautiously with plenty of water for several minutes, lifting upper and lower eyelids; remove contact lenses if present and easy; seek immediate medical attention
Ingestion: Rinse mouth with water; never induce vomiting due to aspiration risk; seek immediate medical attention; do not give anything by mouth to an unconscious person

Fire-Fighting Measures

Extinguishing Media: Dry chemical powder, foam, carbon dioxide (CO₂); avoid using water jets as these spread the fire
Specific Hazards: Highly flammable vapor may spread along the ground, collect in low areas, and flash back to the source; vapor/air mixtures can explode
Special Protective Equipment for Firefighters: Wear full protective suit and self-contained breathing apparatus to avoid inhalation of vapors and combustion products, such as carbon monoxide
Firefighting Instructions: Shut off fuel supply if safe; avoid breathing fumes, stay upwind; cool fire-exposed containers with water spray
Combustion Products: Hazardous gases including carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, aldehydes, organic acids, sometimes sulfur oxides

Accidental Release Measures

Personal Precautions: Evacuate unnecessary personnel; eliminate all ignition sources; prevent inhalation of vapors; ventilate affected area
Environmental Precautions: Prevent entry into drains, sewers, or waterways; inform relevant authorities if product contaminates environment
Containment: Dike area using inert materials such as sand or earth; stop leaks if this can be done without personal risk
Cleanup Methods: Use non-sparking tools; absorb spilled liquid with inert absorbent material; transfer waste to labeled, sealed containers for disposal; clean area with detergent and water after removal
Special Considerations: Be aware of vapor risk and explosivity in confined or low-lying areas

Handling and Storage

Handling: Use only with adequate ventilation; avoid breathing vapors; keep away from sources of ignition; take action to prevent static discharge by grounding/bonding
Storage: Store in tightly closed, labeled containers in cool, dry, well-ventilated areas away from sunlight, heat, sparks, open flames; dedicated flammable liquid storage required; keep away from incompatible materials, such as oxidizers
Hygiene Measures: No eating, drinking, or smoking in working area; wash thoroughly after handling; remove contaminated clothing and wash before reuse
Container Materials: Use containers approved for gasoline transport and storage
Bulk Storage: Install spill containment systems; ensure equipment compatibility with petroleum products

Exposure Controls and Personal Protection

Occupational Exposure Limits: OSHA PEL (TWA): 300 ppm (petroleum distillates); Benzene: 1 ppm (8-hr TWA), 5 ppm (STEL); Toluene: 200 ppm (TWA)
Engineering Controls: Provide effective local exhaust ventilation to minimize vapor accumulation; use explosion-proof electrical and ventilating systems
Personal Protective Equipment: Respiratory protection: approved air-purifying respirator with organic vapor cartridge if exposure exceeds limits; Hand protection: chemical-resistant gloves (e.g., nitrile, neoprene); Eye protection: safety goggles or face shield; Skin and body protection: flame-resistant anti-static clothing and chemical-resistant footwear
Environmental Controls: Equipment designed to capture and recycle or remove volatile organic compounds; spill containment and recovery systems installed where spills possible
General Safety Measures: Emergency eyewash and safety shower stations in work area

Physical and Chemical Properties

Appearance: Clear to yellowish liquid
Odor: Characteristic sharp, sweet petroleum odor
pH: Not applicable (non-aqueous)
Melting Point: Not applicable; below –60°C (–76°F)
Boiling Range: 30–210°C (86–410°F)
Flash Point: Below –40°C (–40°F)
Flammability: Extremely flammable liquid and vapor
Vapor Pressure: 38–104 kPa (at 37.8°C/100°F; highly volatile)
Vapor Density: 3–4 (air = 1)
Solubility in Water: Negligible (<0.1%)
Auto-ignition Temperature: 280–470°C (536–878°F)
Specific Gravity: 0.71–0.77 (water = 1)
Partition Coefficient (n-octanol/water): 2.1–5
Evaporation Rate: Rapid; much faster than water

Stability and Reactivity

Chemical Stability: Stable under normal recommended handling and storage conditions
Reactivity: Forms explosive mixtures with air at ambient temperatures
Hazardous Reactions: Violently reacts with oxidizing agents such as nitrates, perchlorates, and peroxides
Conditions to Avoid: Heat, sparks, open flames, static discharge, direct sunlight, contact with incompatible chemicals
Incompatible Materials: Strong oxidizers, acids, halogens; attacks some plastics, rubbers
Decomposition Products: Toxic gases such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, possibly aldehydes and acids upon combustion

Toxicological Information

Routes of Exposure: Inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, eye contact
Acute Toxicity: Inhalation may cause dizziness, headache, nausea, CNS depression, respiratory tract irritation; oral ingestion leads to gastrointestinal upset, rapid onset of vomiting or aspiration risk
Chronic Effects: Prolonged or repeated exposure linked to dermatitis, kidney and liver damage, central nervous system effects, possibly reproductive effects
Carcinogenicity: Contains small amounts of benzene, a known human carcinogen (group 1, IARC); gasoline vapors classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans
Other Health Hazards: Aspiration risk leads to chemical pneumonitis; skin exposure causes dryness, cracking, or blistering; may affect blood-forming organs
Symptoms: Drowsiness, confusion, euphoria, fatigue, vomiting, unconsciousness, irregular heartbeat in severe cases

Ecological Information

Ecotoxicity: Toxic to aquatic life; acute and chronic adverse effects in fish, invertebrates, and aquatic plants
Persistence and Degradability: Major components biodegrade in soil and water; aromatic fraction resists breakdown and persists
Bioaccumulative Potential: Hydrocarbons accumulate in aquatic organisms; benzene and some other aromatics have high bioconcentration factor
Mobility in Soil: Highly volatile fractions evaporate quickly; some dissolving into groundwater leading to contamination
Other Environmental Effects: Spilled gasoline forms a surface film, restricting oxygen exchange; negative impact on microorganisms essential for ecosystem balance

Disposal Considerations

Waste Treatment Methods: Unused or contaminated liquid to be collected and sent to licensed disposal contractor for incineration or recovery
Contaminated Packaging: Rinse empty containers with suitable solvent under controlled conditions before recycling or disposing; never reuse for other purposes
Legislative Requirements: Dispose of in accordance with local, regional, and national environmental regulations governing hazardous waste
Special Precautions: Avoid spillage into drains or natural environment; control vapor emissions during disposal process
Waste Code: Classified as hazardous waste under most waste management systems

Transport Information

UN Proper Shipping Name: Gasoline
UN Number: 1203
Transport Hazard Classes: 3 (Flammable liquid)
Packing Group: II
Labels Required: Flammable liquid (Class 3); additional marking for marine pollutant if shipped by sea
Special Precautions for Transport: Keep containers upright, secured, and sealed; do not transport with foodstuffs or oxidizing substances; avoid static discharge during loading and unloading
Transportation Regulations: Comply with ADR/RID for Europe, IMDG for maritime, ICAO/IATA for air shipment
Emergency Guide Number: 128 (Emergency Response Guidebook)

Regulatory Information

Classification and Labeling: Regulated under OSHA Hazard Communication Standard in the US, CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 in the EU
Chemical Safety Assessment: Chemical safety report required under REACH; restrictions on benzene content in commercial gasoline
TSCA Status: Listed on the US Toxic Substances Control Act Inventory
Other Listings: Included in Canada DSL/NDSL, Australian AICS, Japanese ENCS, and other global inventories
Restrictions: Sale and use subject to regional vapor pressure and emissions regulations; requirements to use safer formulations and additives to limit environmental and health impact
Workplace Regulations: Frequent assessments under national worker safety standards; information and training for exposed employees required by law