ok, so cancerous from particulate matter, but i asked the question because I thought long term exposure to the skin can be cancerous, how come then the gas pumper man wears gloves for diesel and not gas, what is in diesel that can cause cancer through the skin and gas cannot?

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1980 300D.

120,000

They wear gloves because diesel is an oil and it takes much longer to evaporate than gas. Gas will evaporate in a short time and their hands will be dry. That's why you always see dirty grime streaks around the diesel pump nozzles. It more for comfort than safety.

diesel NEVER evaporates. and you about cant wash the smell off either. so i often use paper towells to hold the nozzle if it looks slimey. and you need to look out for spillage cause if you walk in it you will be smelling it for a week.

and watch out for rubbing your pants on the slimey hose too!

these are useful lessons learned over twenty years of diesel driving.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

...and you can even use it for rustproofing. If you have access to a lift, go under the car and spray everything but the exhaust with a squirt bottle of diesel once or twice a month in the winter.

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'79 300SD W116
'86 190E 2.3-16V W201
'92 300D 2.5 W124
'99 E320 4MATIC S210

Like others said. Also notice that there's a sign on the gas pumps that warns against inhaling gasoline vapor because it's carcinogenic. As far as spilling gasoline, while it may seem like it magically disappears, it actually goes up into the atmosphere and contributes to the smog layer. So care should be taken not to spill any fuel, but I've seen a lot of idiots who don't know how to refuel without spilling.

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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL