A friend of mine is currently living in India. The people she is living with just treated the wooden door with either kerosene or jet fuel (its not clear which of the both, as the language barrier makes communication rather difficult). We do now wonder if touching or even being close to this door will be still dangerous after the kerosene/jet fuel dried out.
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$\begingroup$ There's kerosene in toothpaste. So I would assume not. Nevertheless, you should ask the nearest expert about it. $\endgroup$– CoffeeIsLifeCommented Dec 6, 2016 at 18:18
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$\begingroup$ For all practical purposes, jet fuel is kerosene. Once evaporated, there should be no issues. $\endgroup$– Jon CusterCommented Dec 6, 2016 at 18:30
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$\begingroup$ Let's say "much less". If it was "kerosene" in the sense of "household fuel" i'd say mostly harmless. After it stops smelling (i.e. stinking up the whole room) it's probably safe. But then there is no telling what crook sold them this "kerosene". $\endgroup$– KarlCommented Dec 6, 2016 at 18:33
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$\begingroup$ Its India, they use kerosene for their lamps and cooker -.- $\endgroup$– weidlerCommented Dec 6, 2016 at 18:37
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$\begingroup$ Then it's safe. After drying out, it is simply not there. The same applies to most common liquid fuels. There was once a nasty thing called leaded gasoline, but it is now banned pretty much everywhere. $\endgroup$– Ivan NeretinCommented Dec 6, 2016 at 18:47
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Kerosene is not a pure compound. To quote Wikipedia:
Regardless of crude oil source or processing history, kerosene's major components are branched and straight chain alkanes and naphthenes (cycloalkanes), which normally account for at least $70~\%$ by volume. Aromatic hydrocarbons in this boiling range, such as alkylbenzenes (single ring) and alkylnaphthalenes (double ring), do not normally exceed $25~\%$ by volume of kerosene streams. Olefins are usually not present at more than $5~\%$ by volume.[10]
[10]: American Institute of Petroleum (September 2010). "Kerosene/Jet Fuel Assessment Document" (PDF). EPA. p. 8. Retrieved October 28, 2016.
Because kerosene is a complex mixture, it is hard to say something specifically. However, the compounds noted are basically long chain alkanes and substituted cycloalkanes, a smaller fraction being alkylated aromatic rings. Benzene and naphthalene do not seem to be significant contributors.
None of these are classified as toxic. Most importantly, while alkylated benzenes and alkylated naphthalenes may still intercalate into DNA making them potential carcinogens, they are metabolised by a completely different pathway from benzene proper, making their metabolites much less dangerous. (Rather than the very reactive 1,2-epoxybenzene, various benzoic acids are the primary oxidation products.) That doesn’t mean they’re harmless, but toxic is the wrong designation and should be reserved for more dangerous compounds.
A general rule for all compounds is:
As long as you smell them, they can affect you.
The desired effect of painting a door with kerosene is, however, that the kerosene penetrates the door and stays there. The least-volatile constituents will remain on the door itself, protecting it from damage. If all the kerosene diffused away, the method would not be used because it would be worthless. Therefore, after the door has vented properly, letting the volatile components disappear, there is practically nothing left that will be harmful to any noteworthy extent.
In fact, I am include to proclaim that your average coloured paint may well contain more harmful chemicals that the kerosene does.
Yes, you can touch it, no you do not need space suits to be safe.
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$\begingroup$ But is it in toothpaste? :) $\endgroup$ Commented Dec 7, 2016 at 0:29
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1$\begingroup$ @ToddMinehardt I don’t know, I never GC’ed my toothpaste …? ô.o $\endgroup$– JanCommented Dec 7, 2016 at 0:31