Gasoline Toxic Compounds and Adverse Effects on the Environment

GASOLINE TOXIC COMPOUNDS AND ADVERSE EFFECTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT

In the early 20th Century gasoline was being produced by oil companies using distillates from petroleum. Unfortunately, this was not enough energy to power the new atutomobiles that would soon be arriving. More chemicals, addetives and research had to be done. Around 1910 laws were passed that prohibited gasoline from being stored. Perhaps the car industries were growing so rapidly, it was then the government began to take note to regulate the use of gasoline for the protection of the environment. Lead and benzene are toxins found in gasoline that are confirmed to be regulated human carcinogens. Carcinogens have been tested also to induce cancer found in humans and animals. This paper will determine and discuss these two types of toxins identified in gasoline, the dangers of these toxins and how they affect the environment in which we live in.

When gasoline is burned it releases a form of energy of hydrogen and carbon. This energy forms water and carbon dioxide. Carbon moxide may be formed as well if the compnents are not precise and complete. Gasoline is said to contain over 500 hydrocarbons. There are two types of hydrocarbons; saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons. Saturated hydrocarbons are somewhat stable found in led

gasolines and burn a clean flame in the air. On the other hand, unsaturated hydrocarbons are unstable and tend to burn a dark smoky flame. Studies have proven lead poisoning can be obtained through particles in the air, dust, soil an other various ways. The alkyl lead compands found in gasoline can reduce the toxicity of exhaust by removing these compands when they are used in certain modern catalysts type engines. Unled

gasoline is not more toxic than lead but, keep in mind if unled

gasoline that is not supported by catalysts it may increase the risk of toxic intake. Some countries are using aromatic or olefin octane-improvers to replace lead compunds octane-improvers to reduce the lead intake for health reasons. According to researchers using aromatics will increase 40%, where other countries using a high octane unled

fuels will increase up to 50% when using oxygenates. It is proven that exhaust catalysts have a short life span and will immediately poison if it is misfuelled with led

fuel. Therefore, the mishandling of catalyst can cause extremely high levels of toxic exposure when equipment is not repaired or replaced. Unled

fuels used on modern vehicles can reduce aromatic emissions up to 10%, provided

the vehicles have engine management systems and catalysts to regulate.

Benzene is an aromatic hydrocarbon, colorless liquid with a pleasant odor obtained mostly from petroleum. It is used by industries to produce platics, synthetic rubber, nylon, detergents, and dyes. It's poisonous vapor can be deadly when breathed too long. The benzene molecule has its atoms arranged in a ring called the benzene ring. These molecules are represented by hexagon form by the six sets of carbon and hydrogen atoms which bond together with single and double bonds. Relatively soluble in water, it is capable of mixing with polar solvents without separating into two phases. Benzene linked to causing several cancers in human. Leukemia is a cancer derived from a chemical induced change in bone marrow caused by an exposure to benzene and cyclophosphamide as well

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