National Pollutant Inventory

Substances

n-Hexane: Sources of emissions

Industry sources

Releases from industries producing, using or handling hexane. For example, rubber and plastics products industries, oil refineries, chemical plants, footwear manufacturing, petrol, and paints and adhesives.

Diffuse sources, and industry sources included in diffuse emissions data

Releases from service stations; evaporation of fuels during petrol refilling; underground storage tanks that leak. Releases during use of adhesives, paints, and paint thinners.

Natural sources

Hexane is a natural constituent of crude petroleum. It also occurs naturally as a plant volatile and can be released from volcanoes. Also occurs naturally in, forest fires, and some plants.

Transport sources

Vehicle exhaust. Evaporation of vehicle fuels from motors and vehicle fuel tanks.

Consumer products

Consumer products that contain small amounts of n-hexane include petrol, rubber cement, type-over correction fluids, non-mercury (low temperature) thermometers, alcohol preparations, and aerosols in perfumes. n-Hexane is also a component of preparations such as paint thinners, general-purpose solvents, degreasing agents, and cleaners.

Key

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Factory. Credit: Michael Lindquist