Short answers, pulled from the story.
RP-1, or Rocket Propellant-1, is a highly refined form of kerosene used as rocket fuel. It differs from standard kerosene through strict standards on density and volatility ranges that ensure reliability during launch.
Rocket designers turned to chemists in the mid-1950s to formulate RP-1 specifically to withstand harsh conditions. This development replaced alcohol fuels like ethanol and methanol which had dominated large liquid-fueled rockets during World War II.
Saturn V first stages carried 810,700 litres of RP-1 mixed with 1,311,100 liters of LOX. This massive volume powered the Apollo 8 mission to lunar orbit.
The Soviets discovered that chilling kerosene before loading increased density further. Densities reach approximately 0.84 grams per milliliter in Soviet designs versus 0.81 grams per milliliter for RP-1.
Any hydrocarbon-based fuel produces more air pollution when burned than hydrogen alone. Carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbon emissions result from combustion processes while hydrogen reacts with oxygen to produce only water.