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GASOLINE AND FUELS ARE DANGEROUS
Despite its common occurrence and use, gasoline is one of the most
dangerous substances found around the home. It is both highly flammable
and extremely toxic. Both
kerosene and diesel fuel are flammable and categorized as toxic
petroleum distillate products.
Kerosene is used in lamps, domestic heaters or furnaces, jet engine fuel
and as a solvent for greases and pesticides.
Diesel fuel has a higher boiling point than kerosene and is used to
power diesel engines.
Fuels can damage your health through inhalation, ingestion and
absorption through skin contact. The first symptoms of poisoning include
flushing, slurred speech, staggering and confusion and other symptoms
similar to intoxication.
This may be followed by nausea and headache, and eventually may lead to
coma and death. Any fluids
aspirated into the lungs can cause pneumonia and lung lesions.
Storing fuels in beverage containers (such as soda pop bottles) is especially dangerous since children are attracted to the container and may swallow the contents.
HOW DO I DISPOSE OF OLD GASOLINE AND FUELS?
Disposal of gasoline and other fuel oil is a unique problem because of
the flammability of these substances.
Putting flammable wastes, such as gasoline, in the trash or sewer can
cause fires and explosions.
Pouring old gasoline or fuel oil down the drain or into a sewer is not
an option either.
Conventional wastewater treatment plants and septic systems are not
designed to handle these materials.
Storm sewers may drain to a stream or lake, and gasoline poured on the
ground may run off or percolate into streams or wells.
Using up old gasoline or other fuel is the best way to “dispose” of it. Even if it is old or contains oil or water, most gasoline and kerosene can be used after it is reconditioned.
HOW DO I RECONDITION GASOLINE?
Unless contaminated with another substance, gasoline and fuel oils
remain usable under most circumstances.
However, as gasoline ages, it tends to lose some of its ability to
ignite in an engine. Old
gas used at full strength may account for sluggish behavior or temporary
failure of an engine.
Stored for long periods, gasoline can become contaminated by rust
particles, dirt or water and become “gummy” or “varnished”.
Most gasoline, even if it is old or contains oil or water, may be
used after it is “reconditioned”.
Reconditioned gasoline can be used in cars and trucks, and some
two-cycle engines such as lawn mowers, snow blowers and outboard motors.
Check your owner’s manual before using reconditioned gasoline in your
engine.
Do not use reconditioned gasoline in a car with a fuel injection
system.
To recondition gasoline, follow these basic instructions:
1.
Work outdoors away from open flame and sources of heat or sparks.
Do not smoke or wear contact lenses while working with gasoline.
2.
Pour the old gasoline into a second container through a funnel
lined with a coffee filter or two layers of thin cloth to remove
particles.
3.
When the filter is dry, throw it in the trash.
4.
Mix one part filtered gasoline with five parts new gasoline.
You can pour the reconditioned gasoline directly into a tank of new
gasoline that is at least three-quarters full.
HOW DO I REMOVE WATER FROM GASOLINE?
To remove water from gasoline, follow these steps:
1.
Pour the gasoline into a transparent jug.
The water will settle to the bottom of the container, because water
is heavier than gasoline.
2.
Carefully pour off the gasoline into a gas can, leaving the water
in the jug.
3.
Pour the leftover water into a box lined with plastic and mix with
an absorbent material such as sand or cat litter.
Let the water dry and place the box, plastic and sand in the trash.
Do not pour the water down the sink, storm drain or on the ground.
Gasoline contaminated with antifreeze, brake fluid, carburetor fluid or
other unusual substances cannot be reconditioned.
NEVER mix these substances together.
HOW DO I STORE GASOLINE AND OTHER FUELS?
1.
Keep fuels out of reach of children and pets.
2.
Store in an approved safety container such as a metal gas can.
Label the container with the contents and the date.
For example, if you mix gasoline with oil, label the container of
gasoline with the proportion of oil to gasoline, the engine that uses
the mixture and the date.
3.
Do
not completely fill the container. Fuels need room to expand.
4.
Keep away from heat, flame and sources of ignition. Store in a garage or outbuilding with good ventilation.
5.
Do
not keep a filled gasoline can in the car.
It could explode upon impact.
6.
Avoid storing gasoline in a small engine for more than two months.
The gasoline can form a residue that coats parts in the engine,
increasing engine wear.
Before storing, use up gasoline left in engines at the end of a season
by running the engine until it empties the gas tank.
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