n-hexane polyneuropathy in Japan: a review of n-hexane poisoning and its preventive measures.
n-Hexane is used in industry as a solvent for adhesive, dry cleaning, and vegetable oil extraction. In 1963, the first case of severe polyneuropathy suspected to be caused by n-hexane was referred to us. Case studies, animal experiments, and field surveys on n-hexane poisoning were conducted, and preventive measures like threshold limit value revision and biological monitoring were also studied. I review a brief history of our investigations on n-hexane poisoning and its preventive measures in Japan. n-Hexane could cause overt polyneuropathy in workers exposed to more than 100 ppm time-weighted average concentrations [TWA]. The present threshold limit value of 40 ppm in Japan is considered low enough to prevent subclinical impairment of peripheral nerve caused by n-hexane. Urinary 2,5-hexanedione could be a good indicator for biological monitoring of n-hexane exposure. About 2.2 mg/liter of 2,5-hexanedione measured by our improved method corresponds to exposure of 40 ppm (TWA) of n-hexane.
Takeuchi
Y
Y
Department of Hygiene, Nagoya University School of Medicine, Japan.
D000818:Animals; D006586:Hexanes / Q000506:poisoning*; D006588:Hexanones / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D011041:Poisoning / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology
D006586:Hexanes; D006588:Hexanones; C026385:n-hexane; C011269:2,5-hexanedione