n-Hexane: Health effects
Description
The only people known to have suffered ill-health effects from n-hexane were exposed to it at work. Exposure to n-hexane can cause toxicity in peripheral nerves, muscle wasting, and atrophy. It can cause numbness to the feet and hands and muscle weakness in the feet and lower legs, which can lead to paralysis of the arms and legs. It can also cause dermatitis, nausea, confusion, jaundice, and coma.
Entering the body
Hexane evaporates very quickly and so the most common exposure is from breathing air containing hexane. It can also enter via the skin.
Exposure
The most probable route of human exposure to hexane is by inhalation. Individuals are most likely to be exposed to hexane in the workplace. Monitoring data indicate that hexane is a widely occurring atmospheric pollutant.
Health guidelines
Worksafe Australia:
Maximum 8 hour time weighted average (TWA) exposure: 176 mg/m3
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