Fuel oils are used to run many types of engines, lamps and heaters. Sometimes small amounts of fuel oil are stored in portable containers for use in space heaters, to clean metal parts, or used in camp stoves or lanterns. Most fuel oil entering the environment comes from spills or leaking storage tanks. When spilled on soil, some components of fuel oil attach to soil. Furthermore, fuel spilled on water or soil, evaporates into the air.
Fuel oil can also contaminate soil sediments and private drinking water supplies.
Other situations include using kerosene heaters, or using kerosene to clean machinery or paint brushes. If water supplies are contaminated, people can inhale the vapors as they bathe, do laundry or use the water for other household purposes. Fuel oil spills in basements or attached garages can seriously contaminate the air inside of homes. Since some of the chemicals in fuel oil attach to soil particles, children can be exposed as they play in contaminated soil. Although there are no drinking water standards for fuel oil, there are standards for some of its ingredients.