Expert: Jacqui - 12/1/2008

Question
First, I must say I am NOT addicted to any substances but the substance abuse category on this site seems the only category that could possibly fit my question.  (I'm sure some people are addicted to huffing petroleum fumes.)

I play the trumpet in jazz band at school, and recently sent it in to the shop for a cleaning.  Since it has been newly lubricated, I have noticed that when I play, I can sort of "taste" the evaporated petroleum based oils sometimes.  Also, I sometimes experience very mild headaches after playing and a very slight lost of alertness.  Could this be from the petroleum distillate based lubricants or could it just be the Placebo effect?  (I tend to worry about this kind of thing a lot and I have read a few articles online about neurotoxic effects of petroleum products.)  Could this be harmful to my health in the long term or would the exposure be so low that I have nothing to worry about?

Answer
Hi Drew,

I have conferred with a colleague who is an industrial chemsit and he assures me that there is no neurotoxicity related to getting a microscopic amount of petroleum lubricant on your lips.  I could hypothesise that playing the trumpet could cause a reduced level of oxygen in the blood, leading to light-headedness.  But it is only a possibilty.

Also, I wouldn't have thought any worse of you if you were addicted to any substances, so you didn't need to state it so emphatically.

Finally, with any potential health issue, I always suggest that you make contact with a health professional.  If you are not overly concerned, wait until to attend for another issue and ask them.

Best wishes,

Jacqui