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 skin contact and absorption. 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.
Unless contaminated with another substance, these products 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 behaviour or temporary failure of an engine. Reconditioned gasoline can be used in cars and trucks and smaller two-cycle engines such as lawn mowers, snow blowers and outboard motors. Check your owner's manual before using reconditioned gasoline in your engine.