Gasoline fumes and R/O water?

[Ping]

My son spilled about 1/4g of gas on his go-cart. It was an overnight puddle and the fumes are even permeating into the house.

My R/O garbage can is stored in the garage and I left the lid off the last time I took out water.

I am looking for an explanation on why I should or should not use this water.

[DaBird47]

Does it have any of that "rainbow"film on it? I f so I'd dump it and really clean your can...

[Ping]

No film.

[Bill S]

It's probably ok, but is it REALLY worth the risk?

[Ping]

Bill, I will not use the water. I am making more as I am writing this. It "is not" worth the risk, but I would like to know the risks. Just Looking for a possible scientific explanation on the interaction.

[Darth-Tater]

Possible explaination is water absorbs many smells. If it has no rainbow film on it then it should be usable...but I would just dump it.

[Bill S]

Some components of gasoline could end up in the water, and not show a film. It is more than likely ok, but seriously, a few dollars worth of RO/DI?

[mathias]

tds test it

[brewercm]

Interesting question though, I have my sump in the garage where I would imagine it gets different fumes in there from time to time.

Maybe it helps grow briopsys. :angry

[txstateunivreefer]

well its a hydrocarbon and has a very low boiling point and vapor pressure meaning it diffuses into the atmosphere very well. this is similar to alcohols which do this better but the smell sticks around because it is so light weight and volitle. one of the major dangers of it being in your water is that it will sit on top of the water creating a barrier for gas exchange etc. as for the contamination of your water it is most likely very minimal however again knowing how much we invest in the hobby i would dump it just to be on the safe side. but you need to remember what paracelsus said " the devil is in the dose". there may be enough gas in there to be toxic or just enough diffused into the water to provide a toxic level. everything is toxic it just depends on how much you get and the amount of time. the reason why it gets into everything also is because it wants to put as much space between itself and the other gasoline molecules.... i can ask my polymer professer for more if you need more info