Problemas comunes en la sociedad

I. Gasoline
This fact sheet provides answers to questions about gasoline. They will explain what that is gasoline, how you may be exposed to it, how it can make you sick, and ways to reduce or avoid exposure to gasoline.
What is gasoline?
Gasoline is made from crude oil processing and is a pale brown or pink liquid with a strong odor. It evaporates easily, is highly flammable and can formexplosive mixtures in air. Typical gasoline contains about 150 different chemicals, including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes, which are also known as BTEX compounds.
Gasoline also contains chemicals such as lubricants, anti-rust and anti-freeze agents are added to improve the car's performance. These chemicals normally present in only very small amounts. Before the 1980s, lead wascommonly used in gasoline as an anti-shock. The use of lead has been stopped due to air pollution and the possibility of adverse health effects. Some gasolines also contain ethanol, which is made of maize. Ethanol helps a car run more efficiently and produce less pollution. The most common additive used in gasoline is methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE). Is added to increase octane and oxygen levels andreduce emissions.
How to get gasoline in the environment?
Spills, leaks or improper disposal of gasoline can cause contamination of soil, groundwater, surface water and air. Leaking underground storage tanks or pipes can also cause gas to enter the surrounding soil and groundwater. The gas can be released into the air when large trucks are filled and emptied, and when you fill your car at thestation.
How I can be exposed to gasoline?
You can be exposed to gasoline by -breathing the vapors of gasoline, consumption of water contaminated with gasoline, or touching gasoline or soil or water contaminated with gasoline.
The most common exposure to gasoline is produced by the inhalation of vapors during filling the fuel tank of your car. Vapors may also be present in the air when gasolineevaporates out of contaminated soil or water. Gasoline vapors can accumulate in basements, crawl spaces and living areas.

When gasoline leaks into the ground can contaminate groundwater used for drinking. Most chemicals in gasoline are removed during water treatment, but people who drink untreated water or water from private wells may be exposed. The gas can also be absorbed through the skinduring contact, for example, when pumping gas or cleaning a spill of gasoline.
What are the health effects of exposure to gasoline?
Many of the adverse health effects of gasoline are due to chemicals in gasoline, mainly BTEX, which are present in small amounts. Breathing small amounts of gasoline vapors may result in nose and throat irritation, headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, confusion andbreathing difficulties. Symptoms from swallowing small amounts of gasoline include mouth, throat and stomach irritation, nausea, vomiting, dizziness and headaches. Some of the effects of skin contact with gasoline include rashes, redness and swelling. Exposure to large amounts of gasoline can lead to coma or death.
The health effects of exposure to gasoline over long periods of time are wellknown. This is because people exposed to gasoline are usually exposed to many other things that can cause health effects. Some workers exposed to gasoline every day in their jobs have suffered memory loss and decreased muscle function. At very high levels, some of the chemicals in gasoline, such as benzene, are known to cause cancer. Current evidence, however, show that exposure to low levels ofgasoline causes cancer in humans.
Can I be tested for exposure to gasoline?
There are laboratory blood and urine tests that can determine if you have been exposed to gasoline, but these tests are not generally available in the doctor's office. These tests measure BTEX compounds in your body, which may be present as a result of exposure to other sources than gasoline.
How I can reduce my exposure to...