Why is using gasoline for cleaning machinery considered dangerous?

Using gasoline for cleaning machinery is considered dangerous primarily due to its highly flammable nature, which presents a significant risk of fire or explosion. Gasoline produces vapors that can ignite from any spark or heat source, leading to potentially catastrophic consequences, especially in environments where machinery may generate heat or where there may be open flames.

In contrast to the other aspects mentioned, while gasoline can indeed cause issues such as damage to certain materials or contribute to rust over time, these concerns do not outweigh the immediate threat that the flammability of gasoline poses. The effectiveness of gasoline as a cleaning agent is also secondary to the risks associated with its use. Thus, the primary concern while using gasoline in any cleaning application is the potential danger associated with fire hazards, making it critical for safety protocols to avoid using gasoline in situations involving machinery that may produce ignition sources.