Hexane (certified ACS grade)

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW Appearance clear colorless. Flash Point -22 deg C. Aspiration hazard if swallowed. Can enter lungs and cause damage. Causes respiratory tract irritation. Causes eye and skin irritation. Danger! Extremely flammable liquid and vapor. Vapor may cause flash fire. Possible risk of impaired fertility. Breathing vapors may cause drowsiness and dizziness. Dangerous for the environment. May cause nervous system effects. Target Organs: Central nervous system, respiratory system, eyes, skin, peripheral nervous system.

Potential health effects

Eye: Causes mild eye irritation. Causes redness and pain. May cause blurred vision, tearing, and conjunctivitis. Skin: Prolonged and/or repeated contact may cause defatting of the skin and dermatitis. Causes irritation with burning pain, itching, and redness. Absorbed through the skin. Ingestion: Aspiration hazard. May cause gastrointestinal irritation with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Aspiration of material into the lungs may cause chemical pneumonitis, which may be fatal. May cause central nervous system effects. Aspiration can cause asphyxia, brain damage, and cardiac arrest. Inhalation: Causes respiratory tract irritation. Exposure produces central nervous system depression. Aspiration may cause respiratory swelling and pneumonitis. Inhalation of high concentrations may cause narcotic effects. Vapors may cause dizziness or suffocation. Exposure may cause vertigo, hallucinations, fatigue, muscle weakness, visual disturbances, nervous system disturbances, coughing, chest pains, difficulty in breathing, lung irritation, gastrointestinal disturbances, and edema which may be fatal. Chronic: Prolonged or repeated skin contact may cause defatting and dermatitis. Prolonged or repeated exposure may cause adverse reproductive effects. May cause fetal effects. Chronic exposure may cause visual disturbances. Laboratory experiments have resulted in mutagenic effects. Peripheral neuropathy symptoms include: muscular weakness, paresthesia, numbing of the hands, feet, legs and arms, unsteadiness, and difficulty in walking and standing. Repeated exposure may cause nervous system abnormalities with muscle weakness and damage, motor incoordination, and sensation disturbances. Chronic exposure produces peripheral neuropathy.