| Agent Name |
n-Hexane |
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| Alternative Name |
Hexane |
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| CAS Number |
110-54-3 |
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| Formula |
C6-H14 |
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| Major Category |
Solvents |
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| Synonyms |
Hexyl hydride; normal-Hexane; Hexane; [NIOSH] |
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| Category |
Aliphatics, Saturated |
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| Description |
Colorless liquid with a gasoline-like odor; [NIOSH] |
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| Sources/Uses |
Used as a solvent, especially in the adhesive and shoe industries; abused by glue sniffers for its euphoric effects; [LaDou, p. 378-9] Used in shoe and furniture manufacture to dissolve glue; also used in adhesive tape manufacturing; [Sullivan, p. 1211] Fuels made from petroleum contain n-hexane. Modern blends of US gasoline contain about 3% n-hexane. [ATSDR ToxProfiles] Used as a solvent for vegetable oils, polymers, and paints; [Hawley] Used as a degreaser by vehicle repair technicians in a commerically available aerosol containing toluene, acetone, and hexane (50% n-hexane); [Reference #2] |
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| Comments |
Acute exposure to 5000 ppm produces giddiness within 10 minutes and 30,000 ppm produces narcosis within 30-60 minutes. [ACGIH] Peripheral neuropathy is the main long-term adverse effect, and it has been observed after exposures in the range of 400 ppm for 45 days or 30 ppm for 2 months to 5 years. [CHEMINFO] n-Hexane is in the list of "Some volatile substances which may be abused by inhalation" published on the web site of the U.N. International Drug Control Programme, indicating its potential to cause narcosis in workers. [Reference #1] Vehicle repair technicians developed peripheral neuropathy while using an aerosol cleaner containing hexane, acetone, and toluene. Acetone and methyl ethyl ketone amplify the neurotoxicity of n-Hexane. [Reference #2] |
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| Reference Link |
Volatile Substance Abuse |
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| Exposure Assessment |
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| BEI |
2,5-Hexanedione (free) in urine = 0.4 mg/L end of shift at end of workweek; |
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| Skin Designation (ACGIH) |
Yes |
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| TLV (ACGIH) |
50 ppm |
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| PEL (OSHA) |
500 ppm |
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| MAK |
50 ppm |
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| IDLH (NIOSH) |
1100 ppm |
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| Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs |
It has been reported that a 10�minute exposure to 5,000 ppm caused dizziness and a sensation of giddiness. |
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| Vapor Pressure |
124 mm Hg |
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| Odor Threshold Low |
65 ppm |
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| Odor Threshold High |
248 ppm |
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| Lethal Concentration |
LC50 (rat) = 77,000 ppm/1 hr |
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| Explanatory Notes |
IDLH = 10% of LEL (lower explosive limit); Odor threshold from AIHA; Flash point = -7 deg F; [CHEMINFO] |
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| Half Life |
Urine (2,5-hexanedione): 15 hours; blood: 2-3 hours; fat: 64 hours; [TDR, p. 769] |
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| Reference Link |
Worker exposure to volatile organic compounds in t...[J Occup Environ Hyg. 2007] - PubMed Result |
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| Flammability (NFPA) |
3: may ignite at ambient temperature |
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| Adverse Effects |
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| Neurotoxin |
CNS Solvent Syndrome |
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| Links to Other NLM Databases |
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| Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: N-HEXANE
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