Petrol fumes real danger

Press, 17 January 1979, Page 10

Petrol fumes real danger

PA Wellington Too few New Zealanders are aware of the health dangers of siphoning petrol, according to an oil company. Europa Oil says in its latest house newsletter that the New Zealand public are all too familiar with siphoning petrol by mouth without appreciating the health hazard of inhaling even small doses of petrol fumes. Few people realise that inhaling petrol fumes, not swallowing the fuel, causes the greatest damage. “When petrol is taken into the mouth, a certain amount may enter the lungs where it spreads and causes immediate irritation and tissue damage." says the oil company.

“The destruction of the tissue in turn causes the lungs to fill with fluid and the victim literally drowns in his own fluids. “In addition, although the toxicity of petrol in the stomach is considerably less, the substance rapidly enters the bloodstream and can slow down breathing and heart function.”

Europa says that since these reactions occur in only a few seconds — the time required to take a breath — death can result in a matter of minutes. Even if the exposure is not fatal damaged lungs can incapacitate the victim for a long time. “There is another potential hazard to be guarded against — the strong likelihood of more

petrol aspirating into the lungs if the victim vomits. “This is why products containing light petroleum distillates carry the warning: ‘lf swallowed, do not induce vomiting’.”