Key Points

Fire

• Highly flammable
• Reacts with strong oxidants causing fire and explosion hazard. Attacks some plastics, rubber and coatings
• Emits acrid smoke and fumes when heated to decomposition
• In the event of a fire involving n-hexane, use normal foam and normal fire kit with breathing apparatus

Health

• Exposure by any route may be dangerous
• CHIP: Highly flammable, possible reproductive toxin, harmful and irritant
• Inhalation may cause respiratory irritation, headache, dizziness, drowsiness, incoordination and euphoria
• Aspiration into the lungs causes pneumonitis with choking, coughing, wheeze, breathlessness, cyanosis and fever
• Ingestion may cause nausea, vomiting and occasionally diarrhoea
• Dermal exposure can cause irritation. Drying and cracking due to defatting action may occur after repeated or prolonged contact
• Ocular exposure can cause pain, blepharospasm, lacrimation, conjunctivitis, palpebral oedema and photophobia

Environment

• Dangerous for the environment
• Inform Environment Agency of substantial incidents

All sections are available to download in PDF format.

• Incident Management (PDF, 141 KB)
  N-hexane - Incident Management
  Added/updated: 24 May 2011