| Hazardous Chemicals |
Adverse Health Effects |
| Benzene (crude oils high in BTEX, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene) |
Irritation to eyes, skin, and respiratory system, dizziness, rapid heart rate, headaches, tremors, confusion, unconsciousness, anemia, cancer |
| Benzo(a)pyrene (a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon reproductive [see below], formed when oil or gasoline burns) |
Irritation to eyes and skin, cancer |
| Carbon dioxide (inerting atmosphere, byproduct of combustion) |
Dizziness, headaches, elevated blood pressure, rapid heart rate, loss of consciousness asphyxiation, coma |
| Carbon monoxide (byproduct of combustion) |
Irritation to eyes, skin, and respiratory, dizziness, confusion, headaches, nausea, weakness, loss of consciousness, asphyxiation, coma |
| Ethyl benzene (high in gasoline) |
Irritation to eyes, skin, and respiratory system, loss of consciousness, asphyxiation, nervous system effects |
| Hydrogen sulfide (oils high in sulfur, decaying plants and animals) |
Irritation to eyes, skin, and respiratory system, dizziness, drowsiness, cough, headaches, nervous system effects |
| Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) (octane booster and clean air additive for gasoline, or pure MTBE) |
Irritation to eyes, skin, and respiratory system, headaches, nausea, dizziness, confusion, fatigue, weakness, nervous system, liver, and kidney |
| Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (occur in crude oil, and formed during burning of oil) |
Irritation to eyes and skin, cancer, possible reproductive effects, immune system effects |
| Sulfuric acid (byproduct of combustion of sour petroleum product) |
Irritation to eyes, skin, teeth, and upper respiratory system, severe tissue burns, cancer |
| Toluene (high BTEX crude oils) |
Irritation to eyes, skin, respiratory system, fatigue, confusion, dizziness, headaches, memory loss, nausea, nervous system, liver, and kidney effects |
| Xylenes (high BTEX crude oils) |
Irritation to eyes, skin, respiratory system, dizziness, confusion, change in sense of balance, nervous system gastrointestinal system, liver, kidney, and blood effects |
