HEXANE (N-HEXANE) | Occupational Safety and Health Administration

HEXANE (N-HEXANE)†

Chemical Identification
CAS #	110-54-3
Formula	C₆H₁₄
Synonyms	hexyl hydride; normal-hexane

Physical Properties
Physical description	Colorless liquid with a gasoline-like odor.
Boiling point	156°F	Molecular weight	86.2
Freezing point/melting point	-139°F	Vapor pressure	124 mmHg
Flash point	-7°F	Vapor density	2.97
Specific gravity	0.66	Ionization potential	10.18 eV
Lower explosive limit (LEL)	1.1%	Upper explosive limit (UEL)	7.5%
NFPA health rating		NFPA fire rating	3
NFPA reactivity rating	0	NFPA special instruction
Vapor hazard ratio (VHR)
Historical exceedance percentage
Target organs

Monitoring Methods Used by OSHA
Analyte code (IMIS no.)	1380
Sampling group	OVSG-1
Sampler/Sampling media	CSC tube (100/50 mg) [SKC 226-01]
Sampling time^*	98 min
Sampling volume (TWA)^*	4.9 L
Sampling flow rate (TWA)^*	0.05 L/min
Sampling volume (STEL/Peak/C)^*
Sampling flow rate (STEL/Peak/C)^*
Analytical method instruments	GC-FID
Method reference	OSHA 5000 (fully validated)
Notes
Special requirements

^* All sampling instructions above are recommended guidelines for OSHA Compliance Safety and Health Officers (CSHOs), please see the corresponding OSHA method reference for complete details.

Bulk/Wipe Method
Wipe Sampler/Sampling media
Bulk Method

On-Site Screening Techniques
Device
Model/Type
Sampling information (see manufacturer instructions)

**Exposure Limits**
OSHA PEL 8-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling Peak		NIOSH REL Up to 10-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling		ACGIH TLV© 8-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling		CAL/OSHA PEL 8-hour TWA (ST) STEL (C) Ceiling Peak
PEL-TWA	500 ppm (1800 mg/m³)	REL-TWA	50 ppm (180 mg/m³)	TLV-TWA	50 ppm [1996]	PEL-TWA	50 ppm (176 mg/m³)
PEL-STEL		REL-STEL		TLV-STEL		PEL-STEL
PEL-C		REL-C		TLV-C		PEL-C
Skin notation	N	Skin notation	N	Skin notation	Y	Skin notation	Y
Notes: See 29 CFR 1910.1000 Table Z-1.		Notes:		Notes: BEI®		Notes:
Health factors: See NIH-NLM PubChem.		IDLH	1100 ppm
Carcinogenic classifications: EPA-II		Notes: 10% of LEL
AIHA emergency response planning guidelines - ERPG-1/ERPG-2/ERPG-3:

Additional Resources and Literature References

NOAA: CAMEO Chemicals - N-Hexane

NIOSH: Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards - n-Hexane

Literature References

ACGIH: Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) and Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs) - Hexane (n-Hexane). See annual publication for most recent information.
ATSDR: Toxicological Profile for n-Hexane. July 1999.
Bolt, H.M., Roos, P.H. and Thier, R.: The cytochrome P-450 isoenzyme CYP2E1 in the biological processing of industrial chemicals: consequences for occupational and environmental medicine. Int. Arch. Occup. Environ. Health 76(3): 174-185, 2003.
EPA n-Hexane | IRIS n-hexane 2005
Huang, J; Kato, K; Shibata, E; et al. (1989) Effects of chronic n-hexane exposure on nervous system-specific and muscle-specific proteins. Arch Toxicol 63:381-385.
Issever, H., Malat, G., Sabuncu, H.H. and Yuksel, N.: Impairment of colour vision in patients with n-hexane exposure-dependent toxic polyneuropathy. Occup. Med. 52(4): 183-186, 2002.
IPCS INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMME ON CHEMICAL SAFETY, Health and Safety Guide No. 59, n-hexane, 1991.
Karakaya A., Yücesoy B., Burgaz S., Sabir H.U., Karakaya A.E.: Some immunological parameters in workers occupationally exposed to n-hexane. Hum. Exp. Toxicol. 15(1): 56-8, 1996.
MMWR n-Hexane--Related Peripheral Neuropathy Among Automotive Technicians --- California, 1999—2000, 2001
NIOSH: Criteria for a Recommended Standard - Occupational Exposure to Alkanes (C5-C8). March 1977.

Last Updated Date : 06/23/2022

Group Sampling Information
Sampling Media	Sampling Time (If there are exceptions they will be in Notes)	TWA Sampling Volume (If there are exceptions they will be in Notes)	TWA Flow Rate (If there are exceptions they will be in Notes)
CSC Tube (100/50 mg sections, 20/40 mesh), [SKC 226-01]	240 min	12 L	0.05 L/min

Analytes Sampling Information
Analytes	IMIS Code	Wipe Sampling
Isobutyl Acetate	1534	No
n-Butyl Acetate	0440	No
sec-Butyl Acetate	0441	No
tert-Butyl Acetate	0442	No
Toluene**	2460	No
Ethyl Benzene	1080	No
Perchloroethylene (Tetrachloroethylene)**	2020	No
Trichloroethylene**	2490	No
Xylene	2590	No
Trimethylbenzene	2505	No
Benzene***	0320	No
Ethyl Acetate****	1040	No
n-Propyl Acetate‡	2180	No
Pentane‡‡	1990	No
Cyclohexane‡‡‡	0810	No
Heptane*	1371	No
n-Hexane‡‡‡‡	1380	No
Nonane*	N807	No
Octane*	1957	No

Notes

Request any (up to three (3)) of these analytes together.

Alternatively request IMIS Code Q115 and SLTC will report any significant amounts of these analytes.

Results for unrequested analytes in this group will be reported if significant amount are found.

Toluene, sec-Butyl Acetate, Benzene and Isobutyl Alcohol all have/are known interferences. Please indicate on the 91A which of these compounds are known to be present.

There is no need to contact SLTC before sampling.

*80 min (4L)

**Peak sampling 1 min (0.05 L) and Ceiling sampling 5 min (0.25 L)

***STEL sampling 15 min (0.75 L)

****120 min (6 L)

‡200 min (10 L)

‡‡45 min (2.25 L)

‡‡‡190 min (9.5 L)

‡‡‡‡98 min (4.9 L)

HEXANE (N-HEXANE)†

Chemical Identification

Physical Properties

Monitoring Methods Used by OSHA

Bulk/Wipe Method

On-Site Screening Techniques

Exposure Limits

Additional Resources and Literature References