Effects of inhaling gasoline

About

Limited contact with gasoline is usually harmless. Gasoline is a human-made substance that people use primarily to fuel vehicles and other machines that use an engine. Having exposure to gasoline or gasoline vapors in large amounts or over an extended period of time can cause serious health complications. Ingesting even a small quantity of gasoline can be fatal. If someone in the United States suspects gasoline exposure or poisoning, they should immediately call Poison Control onand an expert will provide care instructions.

Description

This article is for information only. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual poison exposure. If you or someone you are with has an exposure, call or the local emergencyor your local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline from anywhere in the United States.

How does gasoline exposure affect a person's health?

The poisonous ingredients in gasoline are chemicals called hydrocarbons, which are substances that contain only hydrogen and carbon. Examples are benzene and methane.

Get medical help right away. DO NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by poison control or a health care provider. If the chemical was swallowed, immediately give the person water or milk, unless instructed otherwise by a provider.

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DO NOT give water or milk if the person is unconscious has a decreased level of alertness. Your local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions. This is a free and confidential service.

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All local poison control centers in the United States use this national. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The provider will measure and monitor the person's vital s, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. The person may receive:. How well a person does depends on the amount of poison swallowed and how quickly treatment was received.

Poisonous ingredient

The faster a person gets medical help, the better the chance for recovery. Swallowing this type of poison can affect many parts of the body.

Burns in the airway or gastrointestinal tract can lead to tissue death. Infection, shock and death can follow, even several months after the poison has been swallowed.

Scars may form in these tissues leading to long-term problems with breathing, swallowing and digestion. If gasoline gets into the lungs aspirationserious and possibly permanent lung damage can occur. The harsh taste of gasoline makes it unlikely that large quantities will be swallowed. However, several cases of poisoning have occurred in people trying to suck siphon gas from an automobile tank using a garden hose or other tube.

This practice is extremely dangerous and is not advised.

Introduction

Nelson LS. Acute poisoning. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; chap Updated by: Jacob L. Editorial team. Gasoline poisoning.

The effects of exposure to petrol vapours on growth, haematological parameters and oxidative markers in sprague-dawley male rats

This article discusses the harmful effects from swallowing gasoline or breathing in its fumes. Poisonous Ingredient. These ingredients are found in gasoline and other liquids, such as kerosene. Note: This list may not be all-inclusive. If the chemical is on the skin or in the eyes, flush with lots of water for at least 15 minutes.

If the person breathed in the poison, immediately move them to fresh air. Before Calling Emergency.

Where found

Get the following information: Person's age, weight, and condition Time the gasoline was swallowed Amount swallowed. What to Expect at the Emergency Room. Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible. The person may receive: Blood and urine tests Breathing support, including oxygen given through a tube through the mouth into the lungs, and a breathing machine ventilator Bronchoscopy camera down the throat to look for burns in the airways and lungs Chest x-ray ECG Endoscopy camera down the throat to look for burns in the esophagus and the stomach Fluids through a vein by IV Medicine to reverse the effect of the poison and treat symptoms Surgical removal of burned skin Tube through the mouth into the stomach to aspirate suck out the stomach, but only when the victim is seen within 30 to 45 minutes of the poisoning and a very large amount of the poison has been swallowed Washing of the skin irrigation.

Outlook Prognosis. Household Products. Poisoning .