Means of Exposure
The symptoms of gasoline poisoning only occur when you have been exposed. Here are some routes of exposure:
Inhalation
Experts refer to inhalation as the most common means of exposure. Generally, gasoline has an odour that gives a strong warning when the concentration is higher than average. The odour threshold is 0.025 ppm. Its vapours can lead to asphyxiation in small rooms, lack adequate air, and are lower than nearby rooms.
In most cases, children are more susceptible to specific side effects of gasoline poisoning because they have larger lung surface area, body weight ratios, and increased minute volumes. Children are also more prone to these effects because they are closer to the ground, and the concentration of gasoline found in that area is higher than average.
Skin/Eye Contact
Do you ever wonder why people in the production and distribution of gasoline cover their whole body? It is to protect them from poisoning or any form of hazard. Vapours may not cause much harm to mucous membranes, but they can cause transient corneal injury when splashed into the eyes. They can also reduce the oils in the skin and, as a result, cause inflammation and dermatitis. It would help to know that First-and second-degree burns only happen when your skin continuously comes in contact with liquid gasoline for many hours. It takes time for percutaneous absorption to occur.
Ingestion
Unlike the respiratory tract, the ability of the gastrointestinal tract to absorb gasoline readily is low. Over 20 to 50 g can result in chronic intoxication in adults, and 350 g (12 oz.) can lead to death for a 70 kg individual. Additionally, just 10 to 15 g (less than one-half ounce) may cause death in children. Symptoms of poisoning by ingestion of gasoline include vomiting, vertigo [1], drowsiness, confusion, loss of consciousness, convulsions, haemorrhaging of the lungs and internal organs and even death due to circulatory failure [2].
Ingestion of gasoline can irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa and can be exacerbated by pulmonary aspiration.