Hexane

SECTION 2: Hazards identification

Emergency Overview Appearance: clear, colorless liquid Danger! Extremely flammable liquid and vapor. Vapor may cause flash fire. Breathing vapors may cause drowsiness and dizziness. Causes eye, skin, and respiratory tract irritation. May be harmful if absorbed through the skin. Aspiration hazard if swallowed. Can enter lungs and cause damage. Long-term exposure may cause damage to the nervous system of the extremities. Possible risk of impaired fertility. Dangerous for the environment. Target Organs: Central nervous system, respiratory system, eyes, skin, peripheral nervous system, testes.

Potential health effects

Eye: Causes mild eye irritation. 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. There have been no reports of skin sensitization in people occupationally exposed to n-hexane. Skin sensitization was not observed in a maximization test using 25 volunteers. - 1 - Ingestion: May cause irritation to the digestive tract with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Aspiration of material into the lungs may cause chemical pneumonitis, which may lead to death. May cause central nervous system depression. Inhalation: Causes irritation to the respiratory tract. Exposure produces central nervous system depression. Vapors may cause dizziness or suffocation. Hexane vapor concentration can become so high that oxygen is displaced, especially in confined spaces. Chronic: Prolonged or repeated skin contact may cause defatting and dermatitis. Prolonged or repeated exposure may cause adverse reproductive 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.