{"hq_id":"hq-p-spe-000043","name":"Fuel system cleaner / fuel additive","category":{"primary":"specialty","secondary":"automotive","tags":["fuel additive","injector cleaner","petroleum","automotive"]},"product_tier":"SPE","overall_risk_level":"moderate_to_high","description":"Liquid fuel additive containing polyisobutylamine (PBA) or polyetheramine (PEA) detergents dissolved in petroleum solvents. Designed to clean fuel injectors, intake valves, and combustion chambers. Contains 80-95% petroleum distillates. Primary hazard is aspiration pneumonia if ingested — low-viscosity petroleum distillates rapidly enter lungs. Flammable. Skin defatting and irritation from solvent exposure. Concentrated petroleum solvents make this product more hazardous than the fuel it treats.","synthesis":{"derived_risk_level":"moderate","synthesis_confidence":0.5,"synthesis_method":"compound_composition","context_used":"human_adult","context_source":"product_users","exposure_modifier":0.935,"vulnerability_escalated":false,"escalation_reason":null,"compounds_resolved":1,"compounds_total":1,"synthesis_date":"2026-05-09","synthesis_version":"1.2.0","methodology_note":"exposure_modifier and adjusted_magnitude are computed from ALETHEIA-calibrated heuristics (route × duration × frequency multipliers, clamped to [0.5, 1.4]). Multipliers are directionally informed by EPA Exposure Factors Handbook (2011) and CalEPA OEHHA but are not regulatory consensus. See /api/methodology for full disclosure."},"hazard_summary":{"sensitive_populations":"child","overall_risk":"moderate-high","primary_concerns":["Aspiration pneumonia from ingestion","Highly flammable","Skin defatting"],"exposure_routes":"ingestion (aspiration), dermal, inhalation"},"exposure":{"routes":["ingestion","dermal","inhalation"],"contact_types":["skin_direct","oral_incidental","inhalation"],"users":["adult"],"duration":"acute","frequency":"monthly","scenarios":["Aspiration if ingested and vomited","Skin contact during pouring","Vapor inhalation during use"],"notes":"Product is nearly pure petroleum solvent — more concentrated than gasoline."},"consumer_guidance":{"red_flags":[],"green_flags":[],"what_to_ask":[],"alternatives":[{"name":"Top Tier gasoline","notes":"Top Tier-certified gasoline already contains sufficient detergent additives for most engines; separate additives may be unnecessary"}],"notes":null},"regulatory":{"applicable_regulations":[{"jurisdiction":"USA","regulation":"EPA fuel additive registration","citation":null,"requirements":"Fuel additives must be registered with EPA under Clean Air Act.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":"EPA","penalties":null,"source_ref":null}],"certifications":[],"labeling":{"required_disclosures":["Flammable warning","Aspiration hazard","Keep from children"],"prop65_warning":{"required":null,"chemicals":[],"endpoint":null,"notes":null},"ghs_labeling":{"required":null,"signal_word":"DANGER","pictograms":["flame","health_hazard"],"hazard_statements":["Flammable liquid","May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways"],"notes":null},"hidden_ingredients":{"trade_secret_protected":true,"categories_hidden":["proprietary detergent blend"],"estimated_count":null,"known_concerns":null,"notes":null},"notes":null},"recalls":[],"regulatory_gap":null,"notes":null},"lifecycle":{"recyclable":false,"disposal_guidance":"Hazardous waste","hazardous_waste":true,"expected_lifespan":"3-5_years"},"formulation":{"form":"liquid","key_ingredients":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000673","name":"Petroleum distillates (heavy naphtha)","role":"solvent_carrier","concentration_pct":"80-95"},{"hq_id":null,"name":"Polyetheramine (PEA) detergent","role":"detergent_active","concentration_pct":"5-15"},{"hq_id":null,"name":"Polyisobutylamine (PBA)","role":"detergent_alt","concentration_pct":"3-10"},{"hq_id":null,"name":"Corrosion inhibitor","role":"metal_protection","concentration_pct":"0.5-2"}],"certifications":[]},"materials":{"common":[],"concerning":[],"preferred":[]},"compound_composition":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000673","compound_name":"Petroleum distillates","role":"solvent","typical_concentration":null}],"identifiers":{"common_names":["fuel additive","fuel system cleaner","injector cleaner","gas treatment"],"aliases":[],"manufacturer":null,"brands":[]},"brand_examples":[{"brand":"Generic Mass-Market Brand A","manufacturer":"Consumer Products Corporation","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Widely available mass-market option"},{"brand":"Generic Mass-Market Brand B","manufacturer":"Consumer Goods Ltd","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Popular budget alternative"},{"brand":"Premium Brand A","manufacturer":"Premium Consumer Inc","market_position":"premium","notable":"Upscale premium positioning"}],"brand_examples_disclaimer":"Representative branded products of this category. Concerning ingredients listed in materials.concerning[] apply to the category, not necessarily to every named brand. Specific formulations vary by SKU and may have changed since this record was written; consult the brand's current ingredient label before drawing brand-level conclusions.","sources":[{"type":"expert_curation","name":"ALETHEIA Safety Database","date":"2026-03-24"},{"type":"regulation","title":"EPA fuel additive registration","jurisdiction":"USA","id":"src_07b26786"},{"id":"src_001","type":"epa","title":"EPA CompTox Chemicals Dashboard — DTXSID4026052","url":"https://comptox.epa.gov/dashboard/chemical/details/DTXSID4026052","accessed":"2026-03-12","notes":"Hazard, exposure, and toxicity data","inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000673"},{"id":"src_002","type":"reference","title":"ATSDR Toxicological Profile — CAS 64742-88-7","url":"https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiledocs/index.html","notes":"Toxicological profile and health effects summary","inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000673"}],"meta":{"schema_version":"4.0.0","last_updated":"2026-03-24","timestamp":"2026-05-14T01:24:28.567Z"}}