Characterization of the Noncancer Hazards of Gas Oils

Gas oils, used to manufacture diesel fuel and residential heating oil, are complex hydrocarbon substances with carbon numbers of C9-C30 and boiling ranges of approximately 150°C to 450°C. Target organ (liver enlargement, reduced thymus weights, and reductions in hematological parameters) and developmental (reduced fetal viability, increased resorption frequency, and reduced fetal weights) effects are associated with aromatic constituents present in some gas oils. Two types of gas oils were tested for repeated-dose and developmental toxicity following repeated dermal administration. A blend of commercial diesel fuels containing 26% aromatics, primarily single-ring compounds, did not cause either target organ or developmental effects at levels up to 600 mg/kg/d. “Cracked” gas oils containing higher levels of aromatic constituents were also tested. Because of limited sample availability, 2 cracked gas oil samples were tested, one for systemic effects and the other for developmental toxicity. The sample tested in the repeated-dose toxicity study (81% aromatics including approximately 10% 3-ring compounds) produced increased liver weights, reduced thymus weights, and reductions in hematological parameters. The overall no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) was 100 mg/kg/d. The sample tested for developmental toxicity (65% aromatics including approximately 5% 3-ring compounds) resulted in significant reductions in fetal survival, significant increases in resorption frequency, and significant reductions in fetal weights with an overall NOAEL of 100 mg/kg/d. In summary, gas oils may or may not cause target organ and/or developmental effects depending on the levels and types of aromatic constituents that they contain.