Most people have.
The use of gasoline is so common in our lives we often overlook the fact that it is a highly toxic product made from a blend of hundreds of chemicals. Once gasoline is released into the environment, it has the ability to contaminate our air, soil, and water. The environmental impacts of improper handling, storage and disposal of gasoline largely stem from sloppy filling of small engines, using inappropriate containers, overfilling motor equipment engines, storing gasoline in open containers and disposing of excess gasoline improperly. Even a small amount of spilled gasoline can potentially contaminate soils and wells at a distance of over a quarter mile from the spill site. Prolonged exposure to gasoline fumes may lead to serious health problems and the vapors contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone.