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Petrol

Key Points

Fire

  • Highly flammable
  • Mixtures of petrol vapour and air may explode
  • In the event of a fire involving petrol, use normal foam and normal fire kit with breathing apparatus

Health

  • Serious lung injury may occur if droplets of petrol are inhaled (e.g. if vomiting occurs after ingestion)
  • Harmful
  • Inhalation may cause headache, dizziness and drowsiness.
  • Often no symptoms occur following ingestion. In some cases, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea may occur
  • Petrol vapour may be irritating to the eyes and lungs
  • Prolonged skin exposure to petrol may cause a variety of skin conditions
  • Long-term exposure to high levels of petrol is associated with a range of disorders affecting the nervous system
  • Petrol does not affect human reproduction or development
  • There is currently no evidence that petrol causes cancer in humans

Environment

  • Avoid release into the environment
  • Inform the Environment Agency of substantial releases

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