RT Report
T1 Selected Petroleum Products: Environmental Health Criteria 20
A1 United Nations Environment Programme, 
A1 World Health Organization, 
A1 International Labour Organisation, 
K1 petroleum product
K1 environmental health
K1 pollution
K1 solvent
K1 chemical analysis
K1 chemical
SN 92 4 154080 X
YR 1982
FD 1982
LK https://wedocs.unep.org/handle/20.500.11822/29306
UL https://wedocs.unep.org/handle/20.500.11822/29306
NO This document reviews human health risks from crude oils and three non-fuel groups—petroleum solvents, lubricating base oils/greases/waxes, and bitumen—covering composition, sampling/analytical methods, emission sources, exposure, toxicology, risk evaluation, controls, and research needs. It finds general-population risk low, with hazards concentrated in workplaces through inhalation of vapors, mists, and fumes and through skin contact. Reported effects include CNS depression from high solvent vapors, n-hexane–related peripheral neuropathy, benzene-associated marrow toxicity and leukemia, irritant and defatting dermatitis, oil acne, and PAH-linked skin cancers from less-refined oils and certain metalworking oils; bitumen shows low toxicity under typical use.
DS UN Environment Document Repository
RD Sep 22, 2026