Health Risks Exposure to diesel or gasoline can occur through breathing vapors, swallowing fuel or skin contact. Contact with the skin can cause irritation and dermatitis. Prolonged skin contact with gasoline can lead to chemical burns. Vapors are moderately irritating to the eyes and respiratory passages. Exposure to high vapor concentration can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea and central nervous system depression.
Gasoline is a possible cause of cancer.
It contains benzene and long-term inhalation of benzene vapors can cause major medical problems. Exhaust from diesel and gasoline engines contains carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. Exposure to high concentrations of either gas is life threatening. In addition, diesel exhaust contains benzene. Minimizing skin contact with fuel by wearing neoprene gloves is the first step in avoiding health problems.