Gas oils and kerosenes

Learn about gas oils and kerosenes with uses in products available to consumers, their health risks and how to reduce your exposure.

On this page

• About gas oils and kerosenes
• Safety of gas oils and kerosenes
• What we're doing to reduce your exposure
• What you can do to reduce your exposure

About gas oils and kerosenes

Gas oils and kerosenes are a group of petroleum substances produced by distilling or refining crude oil. They are used in fuel production and in industrial and commercial applications. Some are also used as solvents in the production of a range of products available to consumers.

They may be listed on ingredient labels as:

• C13-15 alkane
• C15-19 alkane
• alkanes C10-13
• C13-14 isoparaffin
• C13-16 isoparaffin
• kerosene (petroleum)
• C11-15 alkane/cycloalkane
• petroleum distillates, hydrotreated light

These gas oils and kerosenes may be found in various products available to consumers, including:

• cosmetics
• air fresheners
• paints and coatings
• non-prescription drugs
• heating and lamp fuels
• natural health products
• automotive care products
• household cleaning products
• do-it-yourself (DIY) products, such as adhesives and sealants, lubricants and paint thinners

They may also be found in:

• candles
• solvents
• ink, toner and colourants
• lawn and garden care products
• pest control products, including insect repellents

Gas oils and kerosenes may be used in the manufacture of food packaging materials or in other products used in food processing establishments, like lubricants and cleaners.

They may also be released into the environment from activities such as:

• production
• transportation
• commercial, industrial or consumer uses

In addition to certain products available to consumers, people in Canada may also be exposed to gas oils and kerosenes in other ways, including through:

• air
• food
• drinking water

People living near industrial facilities may have higher exposures to gas oils and kerosenes in the air and drinking water.

Safety of gas oils and kerosenes

Under Canada's Chemicals Management Plan, we review and manage the potential risks that chemical substances can pose to consumers and the environment. The first stage of the review process is a draft chemical risk assessment.

We have completed the draft assessment of a group of 16 gas oils and kerosenes with uses in products available to consumers. We're proposing that these substances may pose a risk to your health when they are inhaled or come into contact with skin.

Specifically, exposure to gas oils and kerosenes from certain products available to consumers may have effects on:

• maternal health
• blood, spleen and adrenal glands
• normal growth and development, including the developing nervous system

Some people may be at greater risk of health effects from exposures to gas oils and kerosenes. This includes:

• developing fetuses, infants and children
• those who are pregnant or may become pregnant

Products containing gas oils and kerosenes that may result in harmful exposures include some:

• cosmetics, such as:
  • hair dyes
  • aftershaves
  • massage oils
  • spray perfumes
  • personal lubricants
  • after-sun products
  • sunless tan lotions
  • waterless hand cleaners
  • deodorants and antiperspirants
  • make-up and make-up removers
  • hair styling and conditioning products
  • moisturizers, including face sprays and face or body masks
• natural health products and non-prescription drugs, such as:
  • sunscreens
  • moisturizers
  • liquid foundations with sun protection factor (SPF)
• air fresheners
• DIY products, such as:
  • lubricants
  • adhesives
  • paint thinners
• automotive products, such as:
  • undercoating sprays
  • vehicle cleaners and polishes, including for engine, exterior and interior
• paints and coatings, such as:
  • primers
  • spray paints
  • automotive paints
  • wood stains and coatings, including varnish and wax
• fabric and leather protectants
• household cleaning products, such as:
  • firearm cleaners
  • adhesive removers
  • furniture and surface cleaners and polishes

We're also proposing that:

• gas oils and kerosenes are not harmful to the environment
• exposure to gas oils and kerosenes from the environment, including through air, water and food, does not pose a risk to human health

What we're doing to reduce your exposure

Our assessment is not yet final. We're continuing to evaluate the potential risk posed by gas oils and kerosenes with uses in certain products available to consumers before we publish our final conclusion. This includes:

• tracking new information on exposures or hazards
• asking the public to comment on our draft assessment
  • you can provide any comments on our draft assessment during the 60-day public comment period
• reviewing and using this information to help inform our final assessment

If the final assessment confirms our proposed findings, we will consider taking measures to reduce your exposure to the gas oils and kerosene substances in this assessment in certain products available to consumers. This may include adding these substances to:

• Schedule 1 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999
  • this would allow Canada to implement preventive or control actions for the life cycle of the substances, including:
    • research and development
    • manufacture
    • use
    • storage
    • transport
    • disposal or recycling
• the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
  • this would provide information to manufacturers on the restriction or prohibition of the use of these gas oils and kerosenes in certain cosmetics
• the Natural Health Products Ingredients Database to limit their concentration in certain natural health products and non-prescription drugs
  • this provides information to manufacturers on the restriction or prohibition of the use specified substances in natural health products and non-prescription drugs

These proposed measures are in addition to existing federal and provincial/municipal guidelines and other mechanisms already in place for industrial releases of certain gas oils and kerosenes to the environment, as well as levels of these substances in drinking water.

What you can do to reduce your exposure

You can take steps to reduce your exposure to harmful chemicals.

Read product labels and follow all safety warnings and directions:

• labels on cosmetics, natural health products, and non-prescription drugs must list all ingredients and instructions for use
• only use over-the-counter products that have a drug identification number (DIN) or natural product number (NPN)
  • these numbers mean the product is regulated under the Food and Drugs Act

Follow the manufacturer's directions to dispose of the product safely.

If you're unsure if your product contains gas oils and kerosenes, contact the manufacturer.

If you're exposed to gas oils and kerosenes at work, talk to your employer and occupational health and safety (OHS) official about:

• relevant laws
• safe handling and storage practices
• requirements under OHS legislation and the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)

Related links

• LBPNs and your health
• Gas oils and kerosenes group
• Use household chemicals safely
• Drinking water quality in Canada
• Measuring your exposure to chemicals
• Canada's systems for addressing chemicals
• Overview of the Chemicals Management Plan

For industry and professionals

• Gas oils and kerosenes with uses in products available to consumers – information sheet
• Industry-restricted gas oils and kerosenes – information sheet
• Risk assessment of chemical substances