Permeation of Gasoline, Diesel, Bioethanol (E85), and Biodiesel (B20) Fuels Through Six Glove Materials

Abstract

Biofuels and conventional fuels differ in terms of their evaporation rates, permeation rates, and exhaust emissions, which can alter exposures of workers, especially those in the fuel refining and distribution industries. This study investigated the permeation of biofuels (bioethanol 85%, biodiesel 20%) and conventional petroleum fuels (gasoline and diesel) through gloves used in occupational settings (neoprene, nitrile, and Viton) and laboratories (latex, nitrile, and vinyl), as well as a standard reference material (neoprene sheet). Permeation rates and breakthrough times were measured using the American Society for Testing and Materials F739-99 protocol, and fuel and permeant compositions were measured by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. In addition, we estimated exposures for three occupational scenarios and recommend chemical protective clothing suitable for use with motor fuels. Permeation rates and breakthrough times depended on the fuel-glove combination. Gasoline had the highest permeation rate among the four fuels. Bioethanol (85%) had breakthrough times that were two to three times longer than gasoline through neoprene, nitrile Sol-Vex, and the standard reference materials. Breakthrough times for biodiesel (20%) were slightly shorter than for diesel for the latex, vinyl, nitrile examination, and the standard neoprene materials. The composition of permeants differed from neat fuels, e.g., permeants were significantly enriched in the lighter aromatics including benzene. Viton was the best choice among the tested materials for the four fuels tested. Among the scenarios, fuel truck drivers had the highest uptake via inhalation based on the personal measurements available in the literature, and gasoline station attendants had highest uptake via dermal exposure if gloves were not worn. Appropriate selection and use of gloves can protect workers from dermal exposures; however, current recommendations from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health should be revised to account for contemporary fuel formulations that routinely contain ethanol.

Evaluating the Protective Effectiveness of Rubber Glove Materials Against Organic Solvents Upon Repeated Exposure and Decontamination

“…In contrast, acetone molecules accomplished this in just 60 hours (2.5 days), notably quicker than toluene molecules. In a study examining gasoline, diesel, bioethanol, and biodiesel permeation [ 26 ], the composition of permeated vapors showed enrichment in components with high vapor pressure. This observation suggests that chemicals possessing high vapor pressure evaporate more rapidly from materials.…”

Risks related to the domestic laundering of filling station attendant uniforms: advances and uncertainties

“…This way, although uniforms function as a barrier, fuels may penetrate the materials used for manufacturing them. A study performed by Chin & Batterman 30 investigated the permeation of biofuels and petroleum-based fuels, including gasoline and diesel fuel, through fabrics used in chemical protective clothing. Permeation tests were performed for 4 types of fuel (regular gasoline, ethanol + gasoline, diesel fuel, and biodiesel) through 3 types of gloves commonly used as chemical protective equipment and 3 types of gloves used in laboratory environments.…”

“…Among all analyzed samples, gasoline presented the highest rate of permeation through the tested materials. 30 …”

Conventional and Alternative Aviation Fuels: Occupational Exposure and Health Effects

“…While aviation fuel was not explicitly tested, many of the fuels contained similar volatile chemicals to those found in jet and synthetic jet fuels, namely, benzene and toluene. The specific study found that volatile compounds in blended fuels still penetrated glove material at rates similar to those of neat fuels . Therefore, the presence of volatile organic compounds rather than the total content of volatiles affects permeation rates for PPE, and it was recommended that both neat and blended fuels should have the same gloving requirements.…”

“…Barrier creams and emollients can provide additional protection to that of PPE, but their use must follow the education of workers on the amount (at least 1 g per hand) and frequency (every three to four hours) required for increased effectiveness . Moreover, permeation rates for different combinations of automobile fuels were examined . While aviation fuel was not explicitly tested, many of the fuels contained similar volatile chemicals to those found in jet and synthetic jet fuels, namely, benzene and toluene.…”