ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINANTS ENCYCLOPEDIA

FUEL OIL NUMBER 2 - HEATING OIL ENTRY

July 1, 1997

COMPILERS/EDITORS: 

ROY J. IRWIN, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

WITH ASSISTANCE FROM COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY

STUDENT ASSISTANT CONTAMINANTS SPECIALISTS:

MARK VAN MOUWERIK

LYNETTE STEVENS

MARION DUBLER SEESE

WENDY BASHAM

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE 

WATER RESOURCES DIVISIONS, WATER OPERATIONS BRANCH

1201 Oakridge Drive, Suite 250

FORT COLLINS, COLORADO 80525 
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This document was put together by human beings, mostly by

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to find sources, and then to obtain the original

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heavily on a particular piece of information.

Like a library or most large databases (such as EPA's

national STORET water quality database), this document

contains information of variable quality from very

diverse sources. In compiling this document, mistakes

were found in peer reviewed journal articles, as well as

in databases with relatively elaborate quality control

mechanisms [366,649,940]. A few of these were caught

and marked with a "[sic]" notation, but undoubtedly

others slipped through. The [sic] notation was inserted

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cited verbatim rather than arbitrarily changing what the

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conflicts, but rather simply reported it all.
It should be kept in mind that data comparability is a

major problem in environmental toxicology since

laboratory and field methods are constantly changing and

since there are so many different "standard methods"

published by EPA, other federal agencies, state agencies,

and various private groups. What some laboratory and

field investigators actually do for standard operating

practice is often a unique combination of various

standard protocols and impromptu "improvements." In

fact, the interagency task force on water methods

concluded that [1014]:

It is the exception rather than the rule that

water-quality monitoring data from different

programs or time periods can be compared on a

scientifically sound basis, and that...

No nationally accepted standard definitions exist

for water quality parameters. The different

organizations may collect data using identical or

standard methods, but identify them by different

names, or use the same names for data collected by

different methods [1014].

Differences in field and laboratory methods are also

major issues related to (lack of) data comparability from

media other than water: soil, sediments, tissues, and

air. 

In spite of numerous problems and complexities, knowledge

is often power in decisions related to chemical

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of a broad universe of conflicting results or conflicting

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For some categories, the editors found no information and

inserted the phrase "no information found." This does

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simply means that during our efforts, the editors found

none. For many topics, there is probably information

"out there" that is not in the Encyclopedia. The more

time that passes without encyclopedia updates (none are

planned at the moment), the more true this statement will

become. Still, the Encyclopedia is unique in that it

contains broad ecotoxicology information from more

sources than many other reference documents. No updates

of this document are currently planned. However, it is

hoped that most of the information in the encyclopedia

will be useful for some time to come even with out

updates, just as one can still find information in the

1972 EPA Blue Book [12] that does not seem well

summarized anywhere else. 

Although the editors of this document have done their

best in the limited time available to insure accuracy of

quotes or summaries as being "what the original author

said," the proposed interagency funding of a bigger

project with more elaborate peer review and quality

control steps never materialized. 

The bottom line: The editors hope users find this

document useful, but don't expect or depend on

perfection herein. Neither the U.S. Government nor

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document is free of mistakes.

The following is one chemical topic entry (one file among

118). Before utilizing this entry, the reader is

strongly encouraged to read the README file (in this

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See the separate file entitled REFERENC for the identity

of numbered references in brackets. 

HOW TO CITE THIS DOCUMENT: As mentioned above, for

critical applications it is better to obtain and cite the

original publication after first verifying various data

quality assurance concerns. For more routine

applications, this document may be cited as:

Irwin, R.J., M. VanMouwerik, L. Stevens, M.D.

Seese, and W. Basham. 1997. Environmental

Contaminants Encyclopedia. National Park Service,

Water Resources Division, Fort Collins, Colorado.

Distributed within the Federal Government as an

Electronic Document (Projected public availability

on the internet or NTIS: 1998).
Fuel Oil Number 2 - Heating Oil

Brief Introduction:

Br.Class: General Introduction and Classification

Information:

NOTE: 

In digital format versions of this document, this

file name (FUELOIL2.HEA), the "hea" stands for

heating oil. See also separate entry (file)

FUELOIL2.GEN for summary on Fuel Oil number 2 in

general (not just heating oil).

Diesel fuels, and typical home heating oil and high

aromatic content home heating oil, are forms of no.

2 fuel oil [498,560]. Specifications for both

middle distillate heating fuels and transportation

fuels are similar [747]. The final products may be

treated as required for their particular use, but

they are otherwise virtually indistinguishable on

the basis of their gross physical or chemical

properties [747]. Diesel oil 2 is similar in

chemical composition to Fuel oil 2, with the

exception of additives [962]. Several references

do not explicitly state which form of Number 2 oil

they were testing. To alleviate some of the

confusion, information that specifically listed

"heating oil" is presented in this entry. The

reader is encouraged to read the following related

entries: Fuel Oil Number 2; Diesel Oil, General;

Diesel Oil #1; Diesel Oil #2; and Diesel Oil #4. 

Along with diesel oil, typical heating fuel oil is a type

of no. 2 fuel oil. Fuel oils are comprised of mixtures

of petroleum distillate hydrocarbons [363,499]. The

various kinds of fuel oils are obtained by distilling

crude oil, and removing the different fractions.

In terms of refining crude oil, typical heating oil is a

middle distillate. The middle distillates include

kerosene, aviation fuels, diesel fuels, and fuel oil #1

and 2. These fuels contain paraffins (alkenes),

cycloparaffins (cycloalkanes), aromatics, and olefins

from approximately C9 to C20. Aromatic compounds of

concern included alkylbenzenes, toluene, naphthalenes,

and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Heating oil

contains a higher percentage by volume of benzenes and

naphthalenes relative to kerosene or diesel fuels. Most

middle distillates contain some benzene, alkylbenzenes,

toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes, and cumenes, but in much
lower percentage than gasoline [661]. Fuel oil no. 2

spans the carbon number range from about C11 to C20

[747].

Fuel oil no. 2 products, consisting predominantly of

atmospheric distillate streams, contain less than 5%

three- to seven-ring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

(PAHs). If high proportions of heavy atmospheric, vacuum

or light cracked distillates are present, the level may

be as high as 10% [747].

According to the U.S. Coast Guard Emergency Response

Notification System (ERNS), no. 2 fuel oil is one of the

most commonly spilled petroleum products in the U.S.

[635]. Major U.S. spills involving no. 2 heating oil

include: Bouchard #65 tanker incident off Buzzards Bay,

Massachusetts, 1977; Exxon Bayway Refinery pipeline

incident, in the Arthur Kill waterway, New York, 1990;

and the World Prodigy tanker incident off Newport, Rhode

Island, 1989 [555].

Br.Haz: General Hazard/Toxicity Summary:

Short-term hazards of the some of the lighter, more

volatile and water soluble compounds (such as toluene,

ethylbenzene, and xylenes) in heating oil no. 2 include

potential acute toxicity to aquatic life in the water

column (especially in relatively confined areas) as well

as potential inhalation hazards. Heating oil no. 2 has

moderate volatility and moderate solubility [777].

Heating oil no. 2 possesses moderate to high acute

toxicity to biota with product-specific toxicity related

to the type and concentration of aromatic compounds

[777]. Heating oil no. 2 spills could result in potential

acute toxicity to some forms of aquatic life. Oil

coating of birds, sea otters, or other aquatic life which

come in direct contact with the spilled oil is another

potential short-term hazard. In the short term, spilled

oil will tend to float on the surface; water uses

threatened by spills include: recreation; fisheries;

industrial, potable supply; and irrigation [608]. 

Long-term potential hazards of some of the lighter, more

volatile and water soluble compounds (such as toluene and

xylenes) in heating oil no. 2 include contamination of

groundwater. Long-term water uses threatened by spills

include potable (ground) water supply. Chronic effects

associated with middle distillates are mainly due to

exposure to aromatic compounds [661]. 

Long-term effects are also associated with PAHs, alkyl

PAHs, and alkyl benzene (such as xylene) constituents of

heating oil no. 2. Although PAHs, particularly heavy
PAHs, do not make up a large percentage of heating oil

no. 2 by weight, there are some PAHs in heating oil no.

2, including naphthalene, alkyl naphthalenes,

phenanthrene, and alkyl phenanthrenes [747]. Due to

their relative persistence and potential for various

chronic effects, PAHs (particularly the alkyl PAHs) can

contribute to long-term (chronic) hazards of heating oil

no. 2 products in contaminated soils, sediments, and

groundwater. Chronic effects of some of the constituents

in heating oil no. 2 (toluene, xylene, naphthalenes,

alkyl benzenes, and various alkyl PAHs) include changes

in the liver and harmful effects on the kidneys, heart,

lungs, and nervous system. Increased rates of cancer,

immunological, reproductive, fetotoxic, genotoxic effects

have also been associated with some of the compounds

found in heating oil no. 2 (see entries on individual

compounds for more details). 

Since Diesel oil 2 is similar in chemical composition to

Fuel oil 2, with the exception of additives [962],

studies on diesel toxicity are of some interest related

to this product (see the Diesel Oil, General and Diesel

Oil #2 entries). 

Many of the PAHs found in this product (see Chem.Detail

section below) are more toxic in sunlight or other UV

source than elsewhere (see PAHs as a group entry).

See also: ATSDR toxicological profile on fuels oils in

general, including this product [962].

Br.Car: Brief Summary of Carcinogenicity/Cancer Information:

Distillate fuel oils are not classifiable as to the

carcinogenicity to humans [747]. However, certain

carcinogenic effects have been associated with some of

the other compounds found in fuel oil no. 2 (see entries

on individual compounds for more details). 

There is limited evidence for the carcinogenicity in

experimental animals of fuel oil no. 2 [747].

The debates on which PAHs, alkyl PAHs, and other

aromatics found in this product to classify as

carcinogens, and the details of exactly how to perform

both ecological and human risk assessments on the complex

mixtures of PAHs typically found at contaminated sites,

are likely to continue. There are some clearly wrong

ways to go about it, but defining clearly right ways is

more difficult. PAHs usually occur in complex mixtures

rather than alone. Perhaps the most unambiguous thing

that can be said about complex PAH mixtures is that such

mixtures are often carcinogenic and possibly phototoxic.
One way to approach site specific risk assessments would

be to collect the complex mixture of PAHs and other

lipophilic contaminants in a semipermeable membrane

device (SPMD, also known as a fat bag) [894,895,896],

retrieve the contaminant mixture from the SPMD, then test

the mixture for carcinogenicity, toxicity, and

phototoxicity (James Huckins, National Biological

Service, and Roy Irwin, National Park Service, personal

communication, 1996).

Painting either diesel fuel or closely related Fuel Oil

2 on mice was positive for carcinogenesis [875].

See also: ATSDR toxicological profile on fuels oils in

general, including this product [962]. See also: PAHs as

a group entry.

Br.Dev: Brief Summary of Developmental, Reproductive,

Endocrine, and Genotoxicity Information:

The results are mixed, but some immunological,

reproductive, fetotoxic, and genotoxic effects have been

associated with a few of the compounds found in heating

oil no. 2 [764,765,766,767] (see entries on individual

compounds for more details). 

Some of the PAHs found in fuel oil are either AHH active

or endocrine disruptors [561].

See also: ATSDR toxicological profile on fuels oils in

general, including this product [962].

See also: PAHs as a group entry.

Br.Fate: Brief Summary of Key Bioconcentration, Fate,

Transport, Persistence, Pathway, and Chemical/Physical

Information:

Heating oil no. 2 is a middle distillate petroleum

hydrocarbon product of intermediate volatility and

mobility [661]. As an intermediate product, heating oil

no. 2 has a combination of lighter, less persistent and

more mobile compounds as well as some heavier, more

persistent and less mobile compounds. These two

different groups are associated with two distinctly

different patterns of fate/pathway concerns: 

The relatively lighter, more volatile, mobile, and

water soluble compounds in heating oil no. 2 will

tend to evaporate fairly quickly into the

atmosphere or migrate to groundwater. When exposed

to oxygen and sunlight, most of these compounds

will tend to break down relatively quickly.
However, in groundwater, many of these compounds

tend to be more persistent than in surface water,

and readily partition on an equilibria basis back

and forth between water and solids (soil and

sediment) media. Cleaning up groundwater without

cleaning up soil contamination will usually result

in a rebound of higher concentrations of these

compounds partitioning from contaminated soils into

groundwater (Roy Irwin, Personal Communication,

1995).

The compounds in heating oil no. 2 which will tend

to be somewhat more persistent and more bound to

solid particles will include the PAHs, alkyl PAHs,

and alkyl benzenes. Higher concentrations of

heavier PAHs will tend to be in adjacent

contaminated soils than in groundwater, but

cleaning up groundwater without cleaning up soil

contamination will nevertheless usually result in

at least some rebound of higher concentrations of

these compounds partitioning from contaminated

soils into groundwater (Roy Irwin, Personal

Communication, 1995). 

See also: ATSDR toxicological profile on fuels oils in

general, including this product [962].

Synonyms/Substance Identification:

 Home heating oil [560]

 Furnace fuel [683]

No. 2 heating oil [555]

Domestic fuel oil [747]

Domestic heating oil [747]

Furnace oil no. 2 [747]

Heating oil [747]

Gas Oil [962]

Number 2 burner oil [962]

Associated Chemicals or Topics (Includes Transformation

Products):

See also individual entries: 

Diesel Oil, General

Diesel Oil #1

Diesel Oil #2

Diesel Oil #4

Fuel Oil, General 

Fuel Oil Number 2

Petroleum, General

Oil Spills

PAHs as a group
Water Data Interpretation, Concentrations and Toxicity (All Water

Data Subsections Start with "W."):

W.Low (Water Concentrations Considered Low):

No information found; see Chem.Detail section for

compounds in this product, then see individual compound

entries for summaries of information on individual

components of this mixture.

W.High (Water Concentrations Considered High):

No information found; see Chem.Detail section for

compounds in this product, then see individual compound

entries for summaries of information on individual

components of this mixture.

W.Typical (Water Concentrations Considered Typical):

No information found; see Chem.Detail section for

compounds in this product, then see individual compound

entries for summaries of information on individual

components of this mixture.

W.Concern Levels, Water Quality Criteria, LC50 Values, Water

Quality Standards, Screening Levels, Dose/Response Data, and

Other Water Benchmarks:

W.General (General Water Quality Standards, Criteria, and

Benchmarks Related to Protection of Aquatic Biota in

General; Includes Water Concentrations Versus Mixed or

General Aquatic Biota):

No information found; see Chem.Detail section for

compounds in this product, then see individual

compound entries for summaries of information on

individual components of this mixture.

W.Plants (Water Concentrations vs. Plants):

No information found; see Chem.Detail section for

compounds in this product, then see individual

compound entries for summaries of information on

individual components of this mixture.

W.Invertebrates (Water Concentrations vs. Invertebrates):

No information found; see Chem.Detail section for

compounds in this product, then see individual

compound entries for summaries of information on

individual components of this mixture.

W.Fish (Water Concentrations vs. Fish):
 Aquatic Toxicity (mg/L) [560]:

Genus/Species 24h TLm 96h Tlm 

Juvenile American Shad 

 (freshwater) 200 --

Rainbow Trout eggs 

 (saltwater) -- 20

W.Wildlife (Water Concentrations vs. Wildlife or Domestic

Animals):

No information found; see Chem.Detail section for

compounds in this product, then see individual

compound entries for summaries of information on

individual components of this mixture.

W.Human (Drinking Water and Other Human Concern Levels):

No information found; see Chem.Detail section for

compounds in this product, then see individual

compound entries for summaries of information on

individual components of this mixture.

W.Misc. (Other Non-concentration Water Information):

No information found; see Chem.Detail section for

compounds in this product, then see individual compound

entries for summaries of information on individual

components of this mixture.

Sediment Data Interpretation, Concentrations and Toxicity (All

Sediment Data Subsections Start with "Sed."):

Sed.Low (Sediment Concentrations Considered Low):

No information found; see Chem.Detail section for

compounds in this product, then see individual compound

entries for summaries of information on individual

components of this mixture.

Sed.High (Sediment Concentrations Considered High):

No information found; see Chem.Detail section for

compounds in this product, then see individual compound

entries for summaries of information on individual

components of this mixture.

Sed.Typical (Sediment Concentrations Considered Typical):

No information found; see Chem.Detail section for

compounds in this product, then see individual compound

entries for summaries of information on individual
components of this mixture.

Sed.Concern Levels, Sediment Quality Criteria, LC50 Values,

Sediment Quality Standards, Screening Levels, Dose/Response

Data and Other Sediment Benchmarks:

Sed.General (General Sediment Quality Standards,

Criteria, and Benchmarks Related to Protection of Aquatic

Biota in General; Includes Sediment Concentrations Versus

Mixed or General Aquatic Biota):

No information found; see Chem.Detail section for

compounds in this product, then see individual

compound entries for summaries of information on

individual components of this mixture.

Sed.Plants (Sediment Concentrations vs. Plants):

No information found; see Chem.Detail section for

compounds in this product, then see individual

compound entries for summaries of information on

individual components of this mixture.

Sed.Invertebrates (Sediment Concentrations vs.

Invertebrates):

No information found; see Chem.Detail section for

compounds in this product, then see individual

compound entries for summaries of information on

individual components of this mixture.

Sed.Fish (Sediment Concentrations vs. Fish):

No information found; see Chem.Detail section for

compounds in this product, then see individual

compound entries for summaries of information on

individual components of this mixture.

Sed.Wildlife (Sediment Concentrations vs. Wildlife or

Domestic Animals):

No information found; see Chem.Detail section for

compounds in this product, then see individual

compound entries for summaries of information on

individual components of this mixture.

Sed.Human (Sediment Concentrations vs. Human):

No information found; see Chem.Detail section for

compounds in this product, then see individual

compound entries for summaries of information on

individual components of this mixture.

Sed.Misc. (Other Non-concentration Sediment Information):
No information found; see Chem.Detail section for

compounds in this product, then see individual compound

entries for summaries of information on individual

components of this mixture.

Soil Data Interpretation, Concentrations and Toxicity (All Soil

Data Subsections Start with "Soil."):

Soil.Low (Soil Concentrations Considered Low):

No information found; see Chem.Detail section for

compounds in this product, then see individual compound

entries for summaries of information on individual

components of this mixture.

Soil.High (Soil Concentrations Considered High):

No information found; see Chem.Detail section for

compounds in this product, then see individual compound

entries for summaries of information on individual

components of this mixture.

Soil.Typical (Soil Concentrations Considered Typical):

No information found; see Chem.Detail section for

compounds in this product, then see individual compound

entries for summaries of information on individual

components of this mixture.

Soil.Concern Levels, Soil Quality Criteria, LC50 Values, Soil

Quality Standards, Screening Levels, Dose/Response Data and

Other Soil Benchmarks:

Soil.General (General Soil Quality Standards, Criteria,

and Benchmarks Related to Protection of Soil-dwelling

Biota in General; Includes Soil Concentrations Versus

Mixed or General Soil-dwelling Biota):

No information found; see Chem.Detail section for

compounds in this product, then see individual

compound entries for summaries of information on

individual components of this mixture.

Soil.Plants (Soil Concentrations vs. Plants):

No information found; see Chem.Detail section for

compounds in this product, then see individual

compound entries for summaries of information on

individual components of this mixture.

Soil.Invertebrates (Soil Concentrations vs.

Invertebrates):
No information found; see Chem.Detail section for

compounds in this product, then see individual

compound entries for summaries of information on

individual components of this mixture.

Soil.Wildlife (Soil Concentrations vs. Wildlife or

Domestic Animals):

No information found; see Chem.Detail section for

compounds in this product, then see individual

compound entries for summaries of information on

individual components of this mixture.

Soil.Human (Soil Concentrations vs. Human):

No information found on this complex and variable

mixture. See Chem.Detail section for chemicals

found in this product, then look up information on

each hazardous compound. Some individual compounds

found in petroleum products have low-concentration

human health benchmarks for soil (see individual

entries).

Soil.Misc. (Other Non-concentration Soil Information):

As of 1996, several States were considering allowing

natural attenuation (the "do nothing and let nature clean

up the mess through bioremediation" option) to proceed

near leaking storage tanks in situations where drinking

water was not being impacted and where human rather than

environmental resources were the main resources in the

immediate area (Roy Irwin, National Park Service,

personal communication, 1996). 

Others would point out that fuel oil spills into soils

are not necessarily a trivial environmental threat

related to ecotoxicology (emphasis on living things other

than humans), due to the many hazardous compounds in this

product (see Chem.Detail section below).

No other information found; see Chem.Detail section for

compounds in this product, then see individual compound

entries for summaries of information on individual

components of this mixture.

Tissue and Food Concentrations (All Tissue Data Interpretation

Subsections Start with "Tis."):

Tis.Plants:

A) As Food: Concentrations or Doses of Concern to Living

Things Which Eat Plants:
No information found; see Chem.Detail section for

compounds in this product, then see individual

compound entries for summaries of information on

individual components of this mixture.

B) Body Burden Residues in Plants: Typical, Elevated, or

of Concern Related to the Well-being of the Organism

Itself:

No information found; see Chem.Detail section for

compounds in this product, then see individual

compound entries for summaries of information on

individual components of this mixture.

Tis.Invertebrates:

A) As Food: Concentrations or Doses of Concern to Living

Things Which Eat Invertebrates:

No information found; see Chem.Detail section for

compounds in this product, then see individual

compound entries for summaries of information on

individual components of this mixture.

B) Concentrations or Doses of Concern in Food Items

Eaten by Invertebrates:

No information found; see Chem.Detail section for

compounds in this product, then see individual

compound entries for summaries of information on

individual components of this mixture.

C) Body Burden Residues in Invertebrates: Typical,

Elevated, or of Concern Related to the Well-being of the

Organism Itself:

No information found; see Chem.Detail section for

compounds in this product, then see individual

compound entries for summaries of information on

individual components of this mixture.

Tis.Fish:

A) As Food: Concentrations or Doses of Concern to Living

Things Which Eat Fish (Includes FDA Action Levels for

Fish and Similar Benchmark Levels From Other Countries):

No information found; see Chem.Detail section for

compounds in this product, then see individual

compound entries for summaries of information on

individual components of this mixture.

B) Concentrations or Doses of Concern in Food Items

Eaten by Fish:
No information found; see Chem.Detail section for

compounds in this product, then see individual

compound entries for summaries of information on

individual components of this mixture.

C) Body Burden Residues in Fish: Typical, Elevated, or of

Concern Related to the Well-being of the Organism Itself:

No information found; see Chem.Detail section for

compounds in this product, then see individual

compound entries for summaries of information on

individual components of this mixture.

Tis.Wildlife: Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife, Domestic

Animals and all Birds Whether Aquatic or not:

A) As Food: Concentrations or Doses of Concern to Living

Things Which Eat Wildlife, Domestic Animals, or Birds:

No information found; see Chem.Detail section for

compounds in this product, then see individual

compound entries for summaries of information on

individual components of this mixture.

B) Concentrations or Doses of Concern in Food Items

Eaten by Wildlife, Birds, or Domestic Animals (Includes

LD50 Values Which do not Fit Well into Other Categories,

Includes Oral Doses Administered in Laboratory

Experiments):

In 1982, Beck et al. performed acute oral toxicity

tests on young adult Sprague-Dawley rats using a

variety of petroleum hydrocarbons [833]. Three

different concentrations of #2 home heating oil

were tested: 1) Ten percent #2 home heating oil was

found to have an LD50 of 12.0 g/kg with the 95%

confidence interval falling between 10.2-14.1. The

highest dose level administered was 16.5 g/kg.

Ninety percent mortality was observed among the

test subjects. 2) Thirty percent #2 home heating

oil was found to have an LD50 of 15.7 g/kg with the

95% confidence interval falling between 13.9-17.8

g/kg. The highest dose level given was 21 g/kg.

Mortality among the test animals was 100%. 3)

Fifty percent #2 home heating oil was found to have

an LD50 of 17.5 g/kg with the 95% confidence

interval falling between 15.4-20.5 g/kg. The

highest dose level administered was 21 g/kg.

Seventy percent mortality was observed among the

test animals [833]. 

C) Body Burden Residues in Wildlife, Birds, or Domestic

Animals: Typical, Elevated, or of Concern Related to the

Well-being of the Organism Itself:
No information found; see Chem.Detail section for

compounds in this product, then see individual

compound entries for summaries of information on

individual components of this mixture.

Tis.Human:

A) Typical Concentrations in Human Food Survey Items:

No information found; see Chem.Detail section for

compounds in this product, then see individual

compound entries for summaries of information on

individual components of this mixture.

B) Concentrations or Doses of Concern in Food Items

Eaten by Humans (Includes Allowable Tolerances in Human

Food, FDA, State and Standards of Other Countries):

No information found; see Chem.Detail section for

compounds in this product, then see individual

compound entries for summaries of information on

individual components of this mixture.

C) Body Burden Residues in Humans: Typical, Elevated, or

of Concern Related to the Well-being of Humans:

No information found; see Chem.Detail section for

compounds in this product, then see individual

compound entries for summaries of information on

individual components of this mixture.

Tis.Misc. (Other Tissue Information):

No information found; see Chem.Detail section for

compounds in this product, then see individual compound

entries for summaries of information on individual

components of this mixture.

Bio.Detail: Detailed Information on Bioconcentration,

Biomagnification, or Bioavailability:

No information found; see Chem.Detail section for compounds in

this product, then see individual compound entries for

summaries of information on individual components of this

mixture.

Interactions:

No information found; see Chem.Detail section for compounds in

this product, then see individual compound entries for

summaries of information on individual components of this

mixture.
Uses/Sources:

Typical heating fuel oil is primarily used as a home heating

oil [560]. Heating distillate grade no. 2 is the fuel most

commonly used in residential heating installations and in many

medium-capacity industrial burners. Residential heating

constitutes the largest non-transportation use of distillate fuels

[747]. 

Forms/Preparations/Formulations:

Fuel oil no. 2 is generally a blend of straight-run and

catalytically cracked distillates. Fuel oil no. 2 is also

generally dried by passage through salt driers and filtered to

remove rust and dirt. Additives include antioxidants, dispersants

and corrosion inhibitors [747].

Chem.Detail: Detailed Information on Chemical/Physical

Properties:

Caution: Every individual petroleum product has a unique

"fingerprint," or distinct set of constituents most commonly

identified by a gas chromatograph analysis. Due to the

varying properties of the same general category of a petroleum

product (each source and weathering stage of a heating oil no.

2 has a unique gas chromatograph "fingerprint"), careful

assessment of the toxicity, specific gravity, and other

physical characteristics of each individual oil must be taken

into consideration to determine the exact effects of the

product on the environment. Therefore, the below comments on

heating oils are to be considered as representative, but not

absolute values typical of every batch of the product with the

same name.

PAHs are of concern in Fuel Oils [962]. Since PAHs are

important hazardous components of this product, risk assessments

should include analyses of PAHs and alkyl PAHs utilizing the NOAA

protocol expanded scan [828] or other rigorous GC/MS/SIM methods.

Distillate fuel oils are complex mixtures of hydrocarbons that

can also contain minor amounts of sulphur-, nitrogen-, and oxygencontaining molecules. They contain normal and branched alkanes,

cycloalkanes (naphthenes), partially reduced aromatics and

aromatics. If blended with cracked stocks, they will also contain

significant amounts of normal, branched and cyclic olefins, and

aromatic olefins, such as styrenes and indenes [747]. The portions

of these general categories will differ from one crude oil to

another. Therefore, there may be appreciable differences among

distillate fuels. However, differences may be smaller than

anticipated because the specifications that must be met restrict

the levels of several physical properties related to the

composition [747].

Physicochemical information from Environment Canada [560]: 
NOTE: In this section, for properties with more than one

value, each value came from its own source; in other words, if

API Gravity at 60 F was measured several times and several

different answers were obtained, all of the answers are

provided [560]:

 API GRAVITY (60/60 degrees F) [560]:

NOTE: API gravity = (141.5/specific gravity [60/60

degrees F]) - 131.5, where specific gravity [60/60

degrees F] is the oil density at 60 degrees F divided by

the density of water at 60 degrees F. 

 32.1

 DENSITY (g/mL) [560]:

For temperatures of oil (T) between 0 and 30 C:

Density = 0.97871 - 0.000710 T 

NOTE: The densities of crude oils and oil products

are dependent on the temperature and degree of

weathering. The following density values are at

"0% Weathering Volume" - in other words, fresh

typical heating fuel oil. Temp( C) Density (at 0% Weathering Volume)

15.6 0.8641

20 0.8774

 SOLUBILITY [560]:

Aqueous Solubility (mg/L): The solubility of oil in water can

be determined by bringing to equilibrium a volume of oil and

water, and then analyzing the water phase. Oil's aqueous

solubility is expressed as the cumulative concentration of the

individually dissolved components. Solubility is

significantly reduced by weathering.

Temp not given 22 C 

Fresh Water 55.97 0.3

Seawater 50.92

 METAL CONTENT [560]:

 

 Other Metals (ppm):

 Nickel 62

 Nickel < 0.1

 < 1

 Vanadium 0.1 to 0.2

 < 0.6

 Molybdenum < 0.6

 Potassium < 1.5
 Zinc < 0.6

 Lead < 3

 Iron < 3

 Chromium < 1.5

 Magnesium 0.5

 Copper < 0.6

 Titanium < 0.6

 Barium < 0.3

The following table provides a detailed analysis of several

heating oils (please note that although some differences are

discernable, the gross compositions are not markedly different)

[747]:

 Hydrocarbon Type Sample 1* Sample 2** Sample 3***

 (% volume)

 Paraffins

 (n- and iso-) 41.3 61.2 57.2

 Monocycloparaffins 22.1 8.5 6.0

 Bicycloparaffins 9.6 8.3 5.0

 Tricycloparaffins 2.3 1.4 0.7 

 Total saturated

 hydrocarbons 75.3 79.4 68.9

 Olefins -- 2.0 7.5

 Alkylbenzenes 5.9 5.3 8.0

 Indans/ tetralins 4.1 4.3 5.4

 Dinaphthenobenzenes/

 indenes 1.8 1.3 1.0

 Naphthalenes 8.2 5.8 6.8

 Biphenyls/

 acenaphthenes 2.6 1.1 1.6

 Fluorenes/

 acenaphthylenes 1.4 0.6 0.3

 Phenanthrenes 0.7 0.2 0.5

 Total aromatic

 hydrocarbons 24.7 18.6 23.6

* Sample 1 = straight-run No. 2 furnace oil

** Sample 2 = No. 2 furnace oil 10% catalytic stock

*** Sample 3 = No. 2 furnace oil 50% catalytic stock

The following table lists the concentrations of three- to

five-ring aromatics determined in one sample of No. 2 fuel oil

(NOTE: The reference does not say whether or not it was a heating

oil) [747]:

Hydrocarbon Concentration (ppm)

Phenanthrene 429

2-Methylphenanthrene 7677

1-Methylphenanthrene 173

Fluoranthene 37
Pyrene 41

Benz(a)anthracene 1.2

Chrysene 2.2

Triphenylene 1.4

Benzo(a)pyrene 0.6

Benzo(e)pyrene 0.1

Additional Physicochemical information from Environment Canada

[560]: 

NOTE: In this section, for properties with more than one

value, each value came from its own source; in other words, if

API Gravity at 60 F was measured several times and several

different answers were obtained, all of the answers are

provided [560]:

 VISCOSITY

NOTE: The viscosities of crude oils and oil products are

dependent on the temperature and degree of weathering. The

following viscosity values are at "0% Weathering Volume" - in

other words, fresh typical heating fuel oil. 

Dynamic Viscosity (mPa.s or cP):

Temp( C) Dynamic Viscosity (at 0% Weathering Volume) 

-1.1 2.788

15.5 2.134

21.1 1.965

Pour Point (degrees C): 

Pour point is the lowest temperature at which an oil sample is

observed to flow when cooled under prescribed conditions. It

is affected by weathering.

 -29

 INTERFACIAL TENSIONS

NOTE: Interfacial tension is the force of attraction between

molecules at the interface of a liquid. These tensions are

essential for calculating the spreading rates and the likely

extent to which the oil will form oil-in-water and water-inoil emulsions. The interfacial tensions of crude oils and oil

products are dependent on the temperature and degree of

weathering. The following tension values are at "0%

Weathering Volume" - in other words, fresh typical heating

fuel oil. 

Air-Oil (mN/M or dynes/cm): 

Temp( C) Air-Oil Tension (at 0% Weathering Volume) 

20 25 (estimated)
Oil-Water (mN/M or dynes/cm):

Temp( C) Oil-Water (at 0% Weathering Volume) 

20 50 (estimated)

 FIRE AND REACTIVITY

Flash Point ( C):

 57.8

 DISTILLATION

NOTE: Distillation data provides an indication of an oil's

volatility and relative component distribution. Distillation

data is reported as volume % recovered. 

Distillation ( C):

(Vol%) Vapor Temp 

IBP 116

5 171

10 194

15 207

20 216

25 226

30 233

35 243

40 251

45 258

50 267

55 273

60 280

65 287

70 297

75 306

80 317

85 327

90 339

95 356

FBP 399

 NOTE: IBP = initial boiling point

 FBP = final boiling point

Boiling Range ( C): 282 to 338

 NON-METAL CONTENT

Nitrogen (Weight %):

 0.014

Sulphur (Weight %) 

 0.19

 SENSATION
 Colour 

Light brown

 OTHER

Reid method Vapor Pressure (kPa):

Temp( C) Pressure 

37.8 3.689

38 2.22

See also: ATSDR toxicological profile on fuels oils in

general, including this product [962].

Fate.Detail: Detailed Information on Fate, Transport,

Persistence, and/or Pathways:

See also: ATSDR toxicological profile on fuels oils in

general, including this product [962].

No information found; see Chem.Detail section for compounds in

this product, then see individual compound entries for

summaries of information on individual components of this

mixture.

Laboratory and/or Field Analyses:

PAHs are of concern in Fuel Oils [962]. See also: PAHs as a

group and Fuel Oil, general entries. 

In choosing a lab method, it should be kept in mind that this

product (as well as Diesel, No. 2 Fuel Oils, and Light Crudes) can

be expected to exhibit the following characteristics [741]:

-Moderately volatile; will leave residue (up to 1/3 of spilled

amount)

-Moderate concentrations of toxic (soluble) compounds

-Will "oil" intertidal resources with long-term contamination

potential

-Has potential for subtidal impacts (dissolution, mixing,

sorption onto suspended sediments)

-No dispersion necessary

-Cleanup can be very effective

Decision Tree (dichotomous key) for selection of lab methods for

measuring contamination from light crude oils and middle distillate

petroleum products (all diesels, jet fuels, kerosene, Fuel oil 2,

Heating Oil 2):

1a. Your main concern is biological effects of petroleum

products....................................................2

1b. Your main concern is cleanup or remediation 

but no ecological or human resources are at risk............3
2a. The resource at risk is primarily humans via a drinking water

pathway, either the contamination of groundwater used for

drinking water, or the fresh* or continuing contamination of

surface waters used as drinking water, or the risk is

primarily to aquatic species in confined** surface waters from

a fresh* spill, or the risk is to surface waters re-emerging

from contaminated groundwater resources whether the spill is

fresh* or not; the medium and/or pathway of concern is water

rather than sediments, soil, or tissues ....................4

2b. The resource at risk is something else......................5

3a. The spilled substance is a fresh* oil product of known

composition: If required to do so by a regulatory authority,

perform whichever Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) analysis

specified by the regulator. However, keep in mind that due to

its numerous limitations, the use of the common EPA method

418.1 for Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons is not recommended as

a stand-alone method unless the results can first be

consistently correlated (over time, as the oil ages) with the

better NOAA protocol expanded scan*** for polycyclic aromatic

hydrocarbons (PAHs) and alkyl PAHs. If not required to

perform an EPA method 418.1-based analysis for TPH, instead

perform a Gas Chromatography/Flame Ionization Detection

(GC/FID) analysis for TPH using the spilled substance as a

calibration standard. GC/FID methods can be sufficient for

screening purposes when the oil contamination is fresh*,

unweathered oil and when one is fairly sure of the source

[657]. If diesel 1D was spilled, perform TPH-D (1D) using

California LUFT manual methods (typically a modified EPA

method 8015) [465] or a locally available GC/FID method of

equal utility for the product spilled. However, no matter

which TPH method is used, whether based on various GC/FID or

EPA method 418.1 protocols, the investigator should keep in

mind that the effectiveness of the method typically changes as

oil ages, that false positives or false negatives are

possible, and that the better Gas Chromatography-Mass

Spectrometry-Selected Ion Mode (GC/MS/SIM) scans (such as the

NOAA expanded scan***) should probably be performed at the end

of remediation to be sure that the contamination has truly

been cleaned up. 

3b. The spilled product is not fresh* or the contamination 

is of unknown or mixed composition........................6

4. Analyze for Benzene, Toluene, Ethyl Benzene, and Toluene

(BTEX) compounds in water as part of a broader scan of

volatiles using EPA GC/MS method 8240. The standard EPA GC/MS

method 8240 protocol will be sufficient for some applications,

but the standard EPA method 8240 (and especially the less

rigorous EPA BTEX methods such as method 8020 for soil and

method 602 for water) are all inadequate for generating

scientifically defensible information for Natural Resource

Damage Assessments [468]. The standard EPA methods are also
inadequate for risk assessment purposes. Thus, when

collecting information for possible use in a Natural Resource

Damage Assessment or risk assessment, it is best to ask the

lab to analyze for BTEX compounds and other volatile oil

compounds using a modified EPA GC/MS method 8240 method using

the lowest possible Selected Ion Mode detection limits and

increasing the analyte list to include as many alkyl BTEX

compounds as possible. Also analyze surface or (if

applicable) ground water samples for polycyclic aromatic

hydrocarbons (PAHs) and alkyl PAHs using the NOAA protocol

expanded scan*** modified for water samples using methylene

chloride extraction. If the contaminated water is

groundwater, before the groundwater is determined to be

remediated, also analyze some contaminated sub-surface soils

in contact with the groundwater for BTEX compounds (EPA GC/MS

method 8240), and PAHs (NOAA protocol expanded scan***). The

magnitude of any residual soil contamination will provide

insight about the likelihood of recontamination of groundwater

resources through equilibria partitioning mechanisms moving

contamination from soil to water.

5a. The medium of concern is sediments or soils..................6

5b. The medium of concern is biological tissues..................7

6. Perform the NOAA protocol expanded scan*** for polycyclic

aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and alkyl PAHs. If there is any

reason to suspect fresh* or continuing contamination of soils

or sediments with lighter volatile compounds, also perform EPA

GC/MS method 8240 using the lowest possible Selected Ion Mode

(SIM) detection limits and increasing the analyte list to

include as many alkyl Benzene, Toluene, Ethyl Benzene, and

Xylene (BTEX) compounds as possible.

7a. The problem is direct coating (oiling) of wildlife or plants

with spilled oil product.....................................8

7b. The problem is something else................................9

8. Perform NOAA protocol expanded scan*** for polycyclic aromatic

hydrocarbons (PAHs) and alkyl PAHs and/or GC/FID

fingerprinting of the coating oil only if necessary to

identify the source or exact oil. If the source is known and

no confirmation lab studies are necessary: dispense with

additional chemical laboratory analyses and instead document

direct effects of coating: lethality, blinding, decreased

reproduction from eggshell coating, etc., and begin cleaning

activities if deemed potentially productive after consolations

with the Fish and Wildlife Agencies.

9a. The concern is for impacts on water column organisms (such as

fish or plankton)...........................................10

9b. The concern is for something else (including benthic
organisms)..................................................11

10. If exposure to fish is suspected, an HPLC/Fluorescence scan

for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) metabolites in bile

may be performed to confirm exposure [844]. For bottomdwelling fish such as flounders or catfish, also analyze the

bottom sediments (see Step 6 above). Fish which spend most of

their time free-swimming above the bottom in the water column

can often avoid toxicity from toxic petroleum compounds in the

water column, but if fish are expiring in a confined** habitat

(small pond, etc.), EPA GC/MS method 8240 and the NOAA

protocol expanded scan*** for PAHs could be performed to see

if Benzene, Toluene, Ethyl Benzene, and Xylene (BTEX),

naphthalene, and other potentially toxic compounds are above

known acute toxicity benchmark concentrations. Zooplankton

populations impacted by oil usually recover fairly quickly

unless they are impacted in very confined** or shallow

environments [835] and the above BTEX and PAH water methods

are often recommended rather than direct analyses of

zooplankton tissues.

11a. The concern is for benthic invertebrates: analyze invertebrate

whole-body tissue samples and surrounding sediment samples for

polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and alkyl PAHs using

the NOAA protocol expanded scan***. If the spill is fresh* or

the source continuous, risk assessment needs may also require

that the sediments which form the habitat for benthic

invertebrates be analyzed for Benzene, Toluene, Ethyl Benzene,

and Xylene (BTEX) and other volatile compounds using EPA GC/MS

method 8240 or modified EPA method 8240 in the Selected Ion

Mode (SIM). Bivalve invertebrates such as clams and mussels

do not break down PAHs as well or as quickly as do fish or

many wildlife species. They are also less mobile. Thus,

bivalve tissues are more often directly analyzed for PAH

residues than are the tissues of fish or wildlife.

11b. The concern is for plants or for vertebrate wildlife including

birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians: polycyclic aromatic

hydrocarbons (PAHs) and other petroleum hydrocarbons break

down fairly rapidly in many wildlife groups and tissues are

not usually analyzed directly. Instead direct effects are

investigated and water, soil, sediment, and food items

encountered by wildlife are usually analyzed for PAHs and

alkyl PAHs using the NOAA protocol expanded scan***. If the

spill is fresh* or the source continuous, risk assessment

needs may also require that these habitat media also be

analyzed for Benzene, Toluene, Ethyl Benzene, and Xylene

(BTEX) and other volatile compounds using EPA GC/MS method

8240 or modified EPA method 8240 in the Selected Ion Mode

(SIM). Less is known about plant effects. However, the same

methods recommended above for the analyses of water (Step 4

above) and for sediments or soils (Step 6 above) are usually

also recommended for these same media in plant or wildlife

habitats. If wildlife or plants are covered with oil, see
also Step 8 (above) regarding oiling issues. 

* Discussion of the significance of the word "fresh": The word

"fresh" cannot be universally defined because oil breaks down

faster in some environments than in others. In a hot, windy,

sunny, oil-microbe-rich, environment in the tropics, some of the

lighter and more volatile compounds (such as the Benzene, Toluene,

Ethyl Benzene, and Xylene compounds) would be expected to disappear

faster by evaporation into the environment and by biodegradation

than in a cold, no-wind, cloudy, oil-microbe-poor environment in

the arctic. In certain habitats, BTEX and other relatively water

soluble compounds will tend to move to groundwater and/or

subsurface soils (where degradation rates are typically slower than

in a sunny well aerated surface environment). Thus, the judgement

about whether or not oil contamination would be considered "fresh"

is a professional judgement based on a continuum of possible

scenarios. The closer in time to the original spill of nondegraded petroleum product, the greater degree the source is

continuous rather than the result of a one-time event, and the more

factors are present which would retard oil evaporation or breakdown

(cold, no-wind, cloudy, oil-microbe-poor conditions, etc.) the more

likely it would be that in the professional judgement experts the

oil would be considered "fresh." In other words, the degree of

freshness is a continuum which depends on the specific product

spilled and the specific habitat impacted. Except for groundwater

resources (where the breakdown can be much slower), the fresher the

middle distillate oil contamination is, the more one has to be

concerned about potential impacts of BTEX compounds, and other

lighter and more volatile petroleum compounds. 

To assist the reader in making decisions based on the continuum of

possible degrees of freshness, the following generalizations are

provided: Some of the lightest middle distillates (such as Jet

Fuels, Diesel, No. 2 Fuel Oil) are moderately volatile and soluble

and up to two-thirds of the spill amount could disappear from

surface waters after a few days [771,835]. Even heavier petroleum

substances, such as medium oils and most crude oils will evaporate

about one third of the product spilled within 24 hours [771].

Typically the volatile fractions disappear mostly by evaporating

into the atmosphere. However, in some cases, certain water soluble

fractions of oil including Benzene, Toluene, Ethyl Benzene, and

Xylene (BTEX) compounds move down into groundwater. BTEX compounds

are included in the more volatile and water soluble fractions, and

BTEX compounds as well as the lighter alkanes are broken down more

quickly by microbes than heavier semi-volatiles such as alkyl PAHs

and some of the heavier and more complex aliphatic compounds. Thus

after a week, or in some cases, after a few days, there is less

reason to analyze surface waters for BTEX or other volatile

compounds, and such analyses should be reserved more for

potentially contaminated groundwaters. In the same manner, as the

product ages, there is typically less reason to analyze for alkanes

using GC/FID techniques or TPH using EPA 418.1 methods, and more

reason to analyze for the more persistent alkyl PAHs using the NOAA
protocol expanded scan***. 

** Discussion of the significance of the word "confined": Like the

word "fresh" the word "confined" is difficult to define precisely

as there is a continuum of various degrees to which a habitat would

be considered "confined" versus "open." However, if one is

concerned about the well-being of ecological resources such as fish

which spend most of their time swimming freely above the bottom, it

makes more sense to spend a smaller proportion of analytical

funding for water column and surface water analyses of Benzene,

Toluene, Ethyl Benzene, and Xylene (BTEX) and other volatile or

acutely toxic compounds if the spill is in open and/or deep waters

rather than shallow or "confined" waters. This is because much of

the oil tends to stay with a surface slick or becomes tied up in

subsurface tar balls. The petroleum compounds which do pass

through the water column often tend to do so in small

concentrations and/or for short periods of time, and fish and other

pelagic or generally mobile species can often swim away to avoid

impacts from spilled oil in "open waters." Thus in many large oil

spills in open or deep waters, it has often been difficult or

impossible to attribute significant impacts to fish or other

pelagic or strong swimming mobile species in open waters.

Lethality has most often been associated with heavy exposure of

juvenile fish to large amounts of oil products moving rapidly into

shallow or confined waters [835]. Different fish species vary in

their sensitivity to oil [835]. However, the bottom line is that

in past ecological assessments of spills, often too much money has

been spent on water column analyses in open water settings, when

the majority of significant impacts tended to be concentrated in

other habitats, such as benthic, shoreline, and surface microlayer

habitats.

*** The lab protocols for the expanded scan of polycyclic aromatic

hydrocarbons (PAHs) and alkyl PAHs have been published by NOAA

[828].

End of decision key.

It is important to understand that contaminants data from

different labs, different states, and different agencies, collected

by different people, are often not very comparable (see also,

discussion in the disclaimer section at the top of this entry).

As of 1997, the problem of lack of data comparability (not

only for water methods but also for soil, sediment, and tissue

methods) between different "standard methods" recommended by

different agencies seemed to be getting worse, if anything, rather

than better. The trend in quality assurance seemed to be for

various agencies, including the EPA and others, to insist on

quality assurance plans for each project. In addition to quality

control steps (blanks, duplicates, spikes, etc.), these quality

assurance plans call for a step of insuring data comparability

[1015,1017]. However, the data comparability step is often not

given sufficient consideration. The tendency of agency guidance

(such as EPA SW-846 methods and some other new EPA methods for bio-
concentratable substances) to allow more and more flexibility to

select options at various points along the way, makes it harder in

insure data comparability or method validity. Even volunteer

monitoring programs are now strongly encouraged to develop and use

quality assurance project plans [1015,1017]. 

At minimum, before using contaminants data from diverse

sources, one should determine that field collection methods,

detection limits, and lab quality control techniques were

acceptable and comparable. The goal is that the analysis in the

concentration range of the comparison benchmark concentration

should be very precise and accurate. 

It should be kept in mind that quality control field and lab

blanks and duplicates will not help in the data quality assurance

goal as well as intended if one is using a method prone to false

negatives. Methods may be prone to false negatives due to the use

of detection limits that are too high, the loss of contaminants

through inappropriate handling, or the use of inappropriate

methods. The use of inappropriate methods is particularly common

related to oil products.

See also: ATSDR toxicological profile on fuels oils in

general, including this product [962].