Facts are good:
Regulations
OSHA has set a Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 500 ppm for hexane in workplace air. A court decision struck down a proposed PEL of 50 ppm. Damage to nerves has been found in people at 500 ppm. American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) recommends a Threshold Limit Value (TLV) of 50 ppm.
Information excerpted from
Toxicological Profile for Hexane July 1999
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
United States Public Health Service
From the NIOSH Chemical Handbook
n-Hexane CAS 110-54-3
CH3[CH2]4CH3 RTECS MN9275000
Synonyms & Trade Names
Hexane, Hexyl hydride, normal-Hexane DOT ID & Guide
1208 128
Exposure
Limits NIOSH REL: TWA 50 ppm (180 mg/m3)
OSHA PEL†: TWA 500 ppm (1800 mg/m3)
IDLH 1100 ppm [10%LEL] See: 110543 Conversion 1 ppm = 3.53 mg/m3
Physical Description
Colorless liquid with a gasoline-like odor.
MW: 86.2
BP: 156°F
FRZ: -219°F
Sol: 0.002%
VP: 124 mmHg
IP: 10.18 eV
Sp.Gr: 0.66
Fl.P: -7°F
UEL: 7.5%
LEL: 1.1%
Class IB Flammable Liquid: Fl.P. below 73°F and BP at or above 100°F.
Incompatibilities & Reactivities
Strong oxidizers
Measurement Methods
NIOSH 1500, 3800; OSHA 7
See: NMAM or OSHA Methods
Personal Protection & Sanitation (See protection codes)
Skin: Prevent skin contact
Eyes: Prevent eye contact
Wash skin: When contaminated
Remove: When wet (flammable)
Change: No recommendation
First Aid (See procedures)
Eye: Irrigate immediately
Skin: Soap wash immediately
Breathing: Respiratory support
Swallow: Medical attention immediately
Respirator Recommendations NIOSH
Up to 500 ppm:
(APF = 10) Any supplied-air respirator*
Up to 1100 ppm:
(APF = 25) Any supplied-air respirator operated in a continuous-flow mode*
(APF = 50) Any self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece
(APF = 50) Any supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece
Emergency or planned entry into unknown concentrations or IDLH conditions:
(APF = 10,000) Any self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode
(APF = 10,000) Any supplied-air respirator that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode in combination with an auxiliary self-contained positive-pressure breathing apparatus
Escape:
(APF = 50) Any air-purifying, full-facepiece respirator (gas mask) with a chin-style, front- or back-mounted organic vapor canister/Any appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus
Important additional information about respirator selection
Exposure Routes inhalation, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact
Symptoms Irritation eyes, nose; nausea, headache; peripheral neuropathy: numb extremities, muscle weakness; dermatitis; dizziness; chemical pneumonitis (aspiration liquid)
Target Organs Eyes, skin, respiratory system, central nervous system, peripheral nervous system
See also: INTRODUCTION See ICSC CARD: 0279 See MEDICAL TESTS: 0114
Most exposure is inhalation. Question is, how much are you consumin’? 21 ppm is a small amount, but people who are health food nuts (vegans) tend to get a large dose of naturally occurring pesticides, and might get a large dose of n-Hexane. Vegans tend to develop heart and arterial disease at a greater rate than the general population, as I understand.