Germ cell mutagenicity:
May cause heritable genetic damage. (Benzene) Mutagenicity studies on gasoline and gasoline blending streams have
shown predominantly negative results.
Carcinogenicity:
Known human carcinogen. (Benzene) May cause leukaemia (AML - acute myelogenous leukemia). (Benzene) Inhalation
exposure to mice causes liver tumours, which are not considered relevant to humans.
Reproductive Toxicity:
Causes foetotoxicity at doses which are maternally toxic. (Toluene) Causes adverse effects on the foetus based on animal
studies. (Toluene) Inhalation of high concentrations of gasoline vapour containing methyl tertiary butyl ether produced a
very low incidence of rare birth defects (ventral midline closure failure) in mice.
Many case studies involving abuse during pregnancy indicate that toluene can cause birth defects, growth retardation and
learning difficulties. (Toluene)
Specific target organ toxicity - repeated exposure:
Target Organs
Kidneys
Kidney: caused kidney effects in male rats which are not considered relevant to humans
Blood-forming organs: repeated exposure affects the bone marrow. (Benzene)
Peripheral nervous system: repeated exposure causes peripheral neuropathy in animals. (n-Hexane)