[Toxicity and dose-response (effect) relationship of n-hexane (author's transl)]

A large amount of n-hexane is being widely used in industry as a solvent or a component of the mixed solvents for extraction of vegetable oils, adhesives, paints, and for cleaning, etc. And, many cases of polyneuropathy due to n-hexane have been reported up to now. Recently, studies on the neurotoxicity and metabolism of n-hexane rapidly progressed in many countries. The present review covers clinical signs and symptoms, pathological changes, metabolism, dose-response (effect) in acute exposure, glue or thinner sniffers, workers, animal experiments. The joint effects and the maximal allowable concentration of n-hexane are also briefly discussed.