Effects of Exposure to Jet Fuels and Kerosene in Humans

In this chapter, the subcommittee reviews studies in humans and experimental animals that examined potential respiratory tract effects of jet-propulsion fuel 8 (JP-8), related fuels, and kerosene. The subcommittee uses that information to assess the potential respiratory toxicity of JP-8 in humans. The National Research Council report Permissible Exposure Levels for Selected Military Fuel Vapors (NRC 1996) did not include a review of the effects of JP-8 on the respiratory tract. 

Few studies have directly or systematically addressed the potential for adverse effects of JP-8 or other jet fuels on the human respiratory tract. Available studies of respiratory tract toxicity of jet fuels and kerosene are described below and summarized in Table 4-1. 

Tunnicliffe et al. (1999) reported the effect of occupational exposure to aircraft fuel (type not specified) and jet-stream exhaust on pulmonary function and respiratory symptoms in airport workers. Two hundred twenty-two fulltime airport employees were divided into groups with essentially no exposure 

Exposure Concentration Exposure Duration Results Reference 

Exposed group (5,706) had potential occupational exposure to JP-8 control group (5,706) did not work in occupations in which exposure to JP-8 would occur all subjects were active duty members of US Air Force Not reported Analysis of medical records showed that subjects in all groups had similar healthcare visit rates no differences among groups in respiratory illnesses Gibson et al. 2001a  

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