Can I pump gas while pregnant?
Shit. I thought this one was going to be easy but instead I've spent weeks sifting through nerd sites trying to figure out all the specifics on gasoline fumes. If you write about gasoline toxicity for a living, my apologies, but c'mon.
So I'm going to make this fairly easy. Don't worry about it.
Okay, okay, I know I should tell you what can happen with gasoline (or Petrol, if you're drinking a Guinness) but it's just going to scare you and we're talking constant exposure or inhalant abuse. So if you don't work in a refinery or know what a Whippet is, you're probably okay.
That said, you may want to get out of pumping gas. I mean cripes, you're busy making a person so keep this little nugget in your back pocket for when it's windy and you don't want to get out of the car:
Gasoline in its natural state has a rapidly intoxicating effect causing symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, slurred speech and hallucinations. Fumes in sufficient amounts can cause kidney damage among other problems and are carcinogenic in sufficient concentrations in the air. As exposure continues, oxygen is replaced by components of the gasoline fumes and seizures and death can occur.
There ya go.
(You really want to know what a Whippet is now, don't you?)
search: gasoline fumes, pregnancy gasoline, gasoline exposure, petrol fumes, effects of gas fumes, inhalant abuse
7 Comments
Reader Comments (7)
I could have used this one when I was 39 weeks pregnant and it was -39C out. Two good things: my baby is perfectly fine and I'm not having a 3rd so that my husband can pump gas for me. Because man, that litter box are 9 months of not getting changed was icky.
Decaf, Please
Okay, I totally had to google Whippet (was having a slow-preggo moment where I couldn't figure out what a fast, skinny dog had to do with inhaling gas!?). I'm going to go back to my "ignorance is bliss" bubble now!
Hayley, I too live in a world where whippets are mini-greyhounds so don't feel bad. I think it's a good thing that we didn't know what they are, although, I'm told they're also spelled "Whip-its" so that may make you go "Ohhh, whip-its, I totally know what that is."
I usually am not a serial poster but I (surprisingly) have a little knowledge on this subject haha! Before I decided to go past my hobby and pursue a career as a photographer I was in the US Army. My MOS (job) was Petroleum Supply Specialist/ Aviation Fuel Handler. Basically I was trained to test, clean, and distribute different types of fuel to the Army for both ground and aviation vehicles.
Some fuel still contain lead. While I was pregnant with our son PJ I was re-trained to temporarily work in a mail room because of the risks of lead exposure from the fuels. All fuel contains some amount of lead, but under federal and state regulations MOST fuel the levels are so low that your more likely to get lead poisoning from your tap water than exposure to the fuel (the fuel, not the fumes, this is to include touching anything the fuel touches.) You can check your local regulations to find out that your area's regulations are. Unless you're fueling a helicopter you probably won't have an issue!!! I don't want to freak anyone out about that, I just figured I'd help out any way I can. :-)
-Robyn
During my pregnancy with twins, friends and family had to restrain me whenver I was near toxic fumes. Point is, I absolutely loved them--gasoline, auto exhaust, paint solvents, spray paint, etc. You name it, if it was toxic, my mouth literally watered if it came within 20 feet of my nose. My husband labeled my bizarre response as pica. I labeled it deliciousness. In all seriousness, I knew how bad it was for my babies, so I stayed as far away from sources as possible. I was actually afraid I'd lose control and drink, eat, or inhale something lethal. I'm happy to report that everyone is healthy and happy and turning two next month.
I think the main thing to remember is don't drink it. You can't afford the guilt.
I don't know what a Whippet or a Whip-it is - hello urban dictionary!
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=whip-it