"The problem with doing nothing is not knowing when you're finished" - Benjamin Franklin

Duh · Guru

Dangers of Diesel Fuel

herbie · Guru

Thanks for posting that excellent report,We have safety posters places all over mine sites , regarding the very dangers or Diesel Fuel.After doing a lot of reserch on health matters regarding diesal , i opted for a gas heater in my van.

Duh · Guru

Petrol doesn't seem much better Herbie, when I think of the times in the Army when I sucked on hoses to decant fuel from Jerry cans or drums I shudder! See;

http://www.epa.govt.nz/hazardous-substances/using-storing/common-substances/Pages/Petrol.aspx

herbie · Guru

Duh wrote:
Thanks Chris, did try that too......someone I know tried that recently, they were in there bare feet, tripped and poured scalding water over their foot, so learnt to be more careful when using it in future.
John, I'll bet if we didn't use half the things we do we'd have lots less cancer. I stayed in Wittenoom when the mine was still active, streets and playgrounds and the local caravan park all paved with asbestos tailings. I got caught in the middle of a willy willy with asbestos going everywhere, often wonder if it will affect me later in life. Also erected asbestos fencing, using an angle grinder with no dust protection as well.....time will tell I guess...
Herbie, when in PNG, our RAP medic had a secondary job as a malarial controller, he would come through our huts with a "fogging machine" spewing out chemicals and would delight in doing it when we were off duty and laying down etc despite being told to take a hike, the huts would be full of the stuff.....

We called in to have a look at Wittenoom a few years back now, i could not get over how every thing was covered in a blue haze/ dust ,and at time of our visit there was no willy willy or even a breeze of any sort,the other thing was that our time of visit there was still a couple of die heart people living out there.Goverment had cut all power/ water off, but these few people still insisted to stay put.Was talking to a guy who told me after i asked how he survived with no conected water ,that he cought his water into a 44 gal drum , but my thought on that was the drum would still catch the dust particials and fall into it. He was even trying to grow some vegies in the soil. my mind just boggled at the thought.While in the army they also were mad on useing the old sump oil to kill weeds around the work shops, i was in Engineers did some stints with 101 field work shops and god it would turn the hairs on ones head what we were made to do to make DO.

-- Edited by herbie on Monday 29th of April 2013 03:50:45 PM

Yuglamron · Guru

I did read a report a few years ago now that the soot particles from diesel exhausts can be the hidden killer.

Not the visible soot from the exhaust stack but the minute particles that are microscopic. Modern exhausts and fuel systems clean the exhaust and reduce the visible soot particle much better than previously but the microscopic stuff is still there.

I think that working for any length of time with petrol/LPG/Diesel should be monitored for health problems over long terms. Seems that all fuels would have some long term effects and should be treated with caution.

wasn_me · Guru

Duh wrote:
Petrol doesn't seem much better Herbie, when I think of the times in the Army when I sucked on hoses to decant fuel from Jerry cans or drums I shudder! See;
http://www.epa.govt.nz/hazardous-substances/using-storing/common-substances/Pages/Petrol.aspx

I have a mate who was a healthy farmer. In his thirties, he had an accident, sucking on a hose to syphon fuel. He sucked petrol into his airways. He has had chronic asthma for the last fifty years as a result. He's paid a big price for something simple that went terribly wrong.

Cheers Pete

Duh · Guru

The findings of this report (see references in post text) are supported by the WHO (World Health Organisation) and others in the Occupational Health fields. I will still use diesel, but will be aware of some of the possible health risks, especially in regards to asthma and other breathing problems. Other fuels are just as bad and I am not singling diesel out. But next time I am behind a vehicle in heavy idling traffic will make sure I have my windows up and vents shut......

herbie · Guru

Duh wrote:
The findings of this report (see references in post text) are supported by the WHO (World Health Organisation) and others in the Occupational Health fields. I will still use diesel, but will be aware of some of the possible health risks, especially in regards to asthma and other breathing problems. Other fuels are just as bad and I am not singling diesel out. But next time I am behind a vehicle in heavy idling traffic will make sure I have my windows up and vents shut.....

.

In fifty odd years time i recon only then will we see the true effect on peoples health, a bit like the asbestos issues that have come to light over the last 15 odd years.

Duh · Guru

wasn_me wrote:
Duh wrote:
Petrol doesn't seem much better Herbie, when I think of the times in the Army when I sucked on hoses to decant fuel from Jerry cans or drums I shudder! See;
http://www.epa.govt.nz/hazardous-substances/using-storing/common-substances/Pages/Petrol.aspx
I have a mate who was a healthy farmer. In his thirties, he had an accident, sucking on a hose to syphon fuel. He sucked petrol into his airways. He has had chronic asthma for the last fifty years as a result. He's paid a big price for something simple that went terribly wrong.
Cheers Pete

That's scary Pete. I must have been lucky, although got a mouthful a couple of times, lol !

What prompted me to post this thread herbie was I had declared war on ants around the home outside, and had used diesel as a last resort to pour down their holes, however the fumes and smell wafted into the house and affected my wife who suffers from asthma.

Agree it will probably all come out in the wash eventually over time, in the meantime I am banned from using my diesel fix for the ants, tried all the other stuff and they seem to thrive on it. I remember years ago having a shed full of white ants, coming up from the slabs in the floor....enter me with Kerosene and doused the floor, no more white ant problems, he he !

vk6tnc · Guru

Pouring boiling water down the nests will work....

herbie · Guru

Duh wrote:
wasn_me wrote:
Duh wrote:
Petrol doesn't seem much better Herbie, when I think of the times in the Army when I sucked on hoses to decant fuel from Jerry cans or drums I shudder! See;
http://www.epa.govt.nz/hazardous-substances/using-storing/common-substances/Pages/Petrol.aspx
I have a mate who was a healthy farmer. In his thirties, he had an accident, sucking on a hose to syphon fuel. He sucked petrol into his airways. He has had chronic asthma for the last fifty years as a result. He's paid a big price for something simple that went terribly wrong.
Cheers Pete
That's scary Pete. I must have been lucky, although got a mouthful a couple of times, lol !
What prompted me to post this thread herbie was I had declared war on ants around the home outside, and had used diesel as a last resort to pour down their holes, however the fumes and smell wafted into the house and affected my wife who suffers from asthma.
Agree it will probably all come out in the wash eventually over time, in the meantime I am banned from using my diesel fix for the ants, tried all the other stuff and they seem to thrive on it. I remember years ago having a shed full of white ants, coming up from the slabs in the floor....enter me with Kerosene and doused the floor, no more white ant problems, he he !

I also remember when i was in the Army , some of the things we did ,not just with fuel but made to run through old nissen huts with different types of chemicals /gas being puffed through them to see how we coped with the different trypes. Some times our eyes would run for a week after or our skin would come out in blotches and be like we were sun burnt.

rockylizard · Guru

herbie wrote:
Duh wrote:
The findings of this report (see references in post text) are supported by the WHO (World Health Organisation) and others in the Occupational Health fields. I will still use diesel, but will be aware of some of the possible health risks, especially in regards to asthma and other breathing problems. Other fuels are just as bad and I am not singling diesel out. But next time I am behind a vehicle in heavy idling traffic will make sure I have my windows up and vents shut.....

.
In fifty odd years time i recon only then will we see the true effect on peoples health, a bit like the asbestos issues that have come to light over the last 15 odd years.

Gday...

Interesting. I agree it is only over time we realise the full extent of our exposure to many things originally thought safe.

However, asbestos mining began more than 4,000 years ago, but did not start large-scale until the end of the 19th century.

The first documented death related to asbestos was in 1906. In the early 1900s researchers began to notice a large number of early deaths and lung problems in asbestos mining towns. The first diagnosis of asbestosis was made in the UK in 1924. By the 1930s, the UK regulated ventilation and made asbestosis an excusable work-related disease, followed by the U.S about ten years later. The term mesothelioma was first used in medical literature in 1931; its association with asbestos was first noted sometime in the 1940s.

We have known about the dangers and health effects of asbestos for more than 100 years. Unfortunately, we have continued to utilise asbestos despite these findings and warnings. It is not a recent discovery that it is a dangerous, fatal substance.

Cheers - John

Duh · Guru

Thanks Chris, did try that too......someone I know tried that recently, they were in there bare feet, tripped and poured scalding water over their foot, so learnt to be more careful when using it in future.

John, I'll bet if we didn't use half the things we do we'd have lots less cancer. I stayed in Wittenoom when the mine was still active, streets and playgrounds and the local caravan park all paved with asbestos tailings. I got caught in the middle of a willy willy with asbestos going everywhere, often wonder if it will affect me later in life. Also erected asbestos fencing, using an angle grinder with no dust protection as well.....time will tell I guess... hmm

Herbie, when in PNG, our RAP medic had a secondary job as a malarial controller, he would come through our huts with a "fogging machine" spewing out chemicals and would delight in doing it when we were off duty and laying down etc despite being told to take a hike, the huts would be full of the stuff..... furious

Duh · Guru

I have a couple of photo's somewhere (not on my pc) of the old hotel there, was still open then.

I am ex RAE too, 1FLD Sqn, PNG Const Troop, 22 Const Sqn, 17 Constr Sqn, started with 17, then PNG, then 22, then 1 Fld....

herbie · Guru

Duh wrote:
I have a couple of photo's somewhere (not on my pc) of the old hotel there, was still open then.
I am ex RAE too, 1FLD Sqn, PNG Const Troop, 22 Const Sqn, 17 Constr Sqn, started with 17, then PNG, then 22, then 1 Fld....

When i was working out of Broken Hill in one of the mines ,the boys told me about this old (or first uranium mine site) in Oz.So me being me just had to go have a squiz at it.Wow what a gem of a place if you are into history.It is not on the tourist list of must see things, i guess that is way it is so untouched by the $$$ trade that brings to a quick end to these facinating places. If you are ever over that way go have a look you will not be disapointed. It is about 110ks south/west of Broken Hill off the Barrier Highway, 40ks east/south/east of Olary.On the Orary Creek It is situated in saltbush/bindi country.The friends/ families of some of the people who worked/lived there have formed a historical association to try to preserve some of it's historical and cultural history, by placing plaques where houses and businesess used to be.The main shaarft head frame ore bin is still there.The cemetry is a sad place to wonder around and read the head stones.At it's peak there was 1.100 people working and living out there.The mine site is called Radium Hill SA it opened in 1916 and closed in 1961.One ounce of the uranium would be sufficient to drive or propel three of the biggest battleships afloat for a period of two thousand years they recon.. So you can see why the stuff is in demand now. Concentrate was railed three hundred ks to Point Pirie to a tratment plant,the water was pumped all the way from NSW to operate this mine. It is classsified now as another ghost town.

Grams · Guru

My husband worked in the Fuel industry for over 30years transporting fuels....Diesel, Unleaded, Kero, and LPG. He has been covered in it, when the fuel overflowed from his fuel truck and covered him. His skin was red and irritated all over his body for hours, even after showering for over an hour. He also has sucked fuel from hoses in the army and at home. He loves the smell of all fuel products :( His only health scar was Prostate Cancer about 18 months ago.

Me on the other hand, I cant stand the stuff. If I get it on my hands, my skin peels off. I never fill up the car, I get someone else to do it for me. Both our petrol stations know me and will come out straight away even though they are a self serve.

But I totally believe it cant do us any good physically. Shame we need it really.

Duh · Guru

herbie wrote:

When i was working out of Broken Hill in one of the mines ,the boys told me about this old (or first uranium mine site) in Oz.So me being me just had to go have a squiz at it.Wow what a gem of a place if you are into history.It is not on the tourist list of must see things, i guess that is way it is so untouched by the $$$ trade that brings to a quick end to these facinating places. If you are ever over that way go have a look you will not be disapointed. It is about 110ks south/west of Broken Hill off the Barrier Highway, 40ks east/south/east of Olary.On the Orary Creek It is situated in saltbush/bindi country.The friends/ families of some of the people who worked/lived there have formed a historical association to try to preserve some of it's historical and cultural history, by placing plaques where houses and businesess used to be.The main shaarft head frame ore bin is still there.The cemetry is a sad place to wonder around and read the head stones.At it's peak there was 1.100 people working and living out there.The mine site is called Radium Hill SA it opened in 1916 and closed in 1961.One ounce of the uranium would be sufficient to drive or propel three of the biggest battleships afloat for a period of two thousand years they recon.. So you can see why the stuff is in demand now. Concentrate was railed three hundred ks to Point Pirie to a tratment plant,the water was pumped all the way from NSW to operate this mine. It is classsified now as another ghost town.

Thanks for the heads up on that Herbie, I had never heard of it before.. biggrin

Duh · Guru

Grams wrote:
My husband worked in the Fuel industry for over 30years transporting fuels....Diesel, Unleaded, Kero, and LPG. He has been covered in it, when the fuel overflowed from his fuel truck and covered him. His skin was red and irritated all over his body for hours, even after showering for over an hour. He also has sucked fuel from hoses in the army and at home. He loves the smell of all fuel products :( His only health scar was Prostate Cancer about 18 months ago.

Me on the other hand, I cant stand the stuff. If I get it on my hands, my skin peels off. I never fill up the car, I get someone else to do it for me. Both our petrol stations know me and will come out straight away even though they are a self serve.

But I totally believe it cant do us any good physically. Shame we need it really.

I suppose it depends on the individual Grams, asthmatics in particular. I hope he continues in good health, but with all the health hazards around today I reckon it would be hard to pin point one particular agent or tell the difference as to whether it was an illness that was from a natural occurrence.......I sure whatever we do it doesn't help much!

johnq · Guru

As children we were forever playing with pieces of fibro sheeting as houses were built. We liked sniffing the 'new' smell too. We used to put wet tongues on it for shapes (it is used as a filter in beer prooduction BTW).
Housing for the over-enthusiastic population growth resulting from continuing record waves of migrants would not have been possible without fibro products. Once erected they were quite safe and most were never worked on again since.

We also lived in houses with unpainted fibro walls and the dust on our beds, hands and clothing was usual. We didn't know of harmful effects.

They were days too when red lead was used on roofing that collected tank water. Lead was in other paints and used in plant sprays as well (examples being pome fruits). Many would remember the white dust of lead arsenate and DDT on fruits and veggies.

Recently an American friend who previously ran a pest control company was astonished by some of the chemicals still on sale in Australia. Interestingly, no-one seems interested in lead, arsenic and other residues in fruit orchards either. The policy is to forget.

Grams · Guru

John,

Yes I remember some of those. Including lead paint we used to paint the kids hand me down wooden cots, high chairs and play pens. I can't believe what we used to do, thinking it was great, but now we find it is so bad.

Duh · Guru

I will still use Diesel too, however for people who are asthmatics, anything (including petrol fumes) can pose a danger.

I think it is worth noting for those with breathing difficulties, prevention is better than cure.

-- Edited by Duh on Thursday 2nd of May 2013 05:54:50 PM

leevin · Senior Member

I was an emergency services professional for over 38 years.
I eat butter, red meat, ice cream, chocolate, scones with jam & cream, white bread..........yum.
I drink rum, beer, wine, soft drink, water.........not ot the same time.
I haven't had a smoke for over 7 years........feels good.
I travel in aeroplanes, trains, ships, buses, cars, trucks........love to travel.
I could go on ad nauseum.......but I won't.
I prefer to drive a diesel powered vehicle.......great vehicle.
Thanks for the info, but, I know one thing.
I will die one day.
From what.....I don't know.
Until then, I will not change a thing.

I am not afraid to die, I just don't want to be there when it happens! (Woody Allen).

leevin · Senior Member

Asthma is a nasty condition.
I posted with tongue firmly in cheek Vic.
As I said, thanks for the info.

Duh · Guru

No worries Leevin, I took your point, die from some of the nasties out there or stressing over what may or may not kill us hmm

Like you I gave up smoking some time ago, one of the best things I ever did, no warnings around about it when I smoking like there is today.

This was a comment I borrowed from elsewhere from someone who was working with diesel and got dermatitis as a result;

"My dermatitis can get so severe that the skin on my hands peels off like a snake skin.
Even dish-washing soaps etc can set it off, and gawd help me if I get near WD 40 !

Result - change life style and jobs, but the damage was already done and isn't reversible."

Long-term Health Hazards from Diesel Fuel Fumes

People at Risk

"The problem with doing nothing is not knowing when you're finished" - Benjamin Franklin