What are its potential economic or environmental impacts?

Hexane is a byproduct of fractured crude oil and natural gas (11). It has various uses in every day life and in industry as well. Due to its stable hydrogen bonds and physical properties, it is used in thermometers with dye to replace mercury (12). Hexane is used in both industry and pharmaceuticals. Hexane is produced as a commercial grade solvent to extract cooking oil from seeds, water and soil. It is also used to synthesize glue and plastic polymers such as polyolefin and elastomers (rubber). Due to its large industry uses, the majority of hexanes release to the environment is correlated with the petroleum industry and the combustion of gasoline (13). Historical perspective, uses and environmental occurrence The Kow value of 3.90, combined with a Bioconcentration factor of 200 suggests that hexane is a high potential chemical for Bioconcentration in aquatic organisms (14). Hexane has been identified as a contaminant in water supply in both Delaware and North London in England as well (15). The main sources of natural occurrence are from fracturing of crude oil and natural gasoline (11). Routes of exposure - how the chemical reaches target and non-target species The most probable type of exposure to hexane is through occupation. According to a survey done by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), an estimation of 493,134 U.S. workers are exposed to hexane (16). The primary routes of exposure are through inhalation and dermal exposure. Occupations include painting, automobile repair, and occupations near refineries have greater risk of exposure. According to a study by Stephen Rappaport, an environmental toxicologist, transportation drivers are exposed to hexane at a concentration of 1.019mg/m3 in 49 out of 49 samples, while gas station attendants are exposed to 1.175 mg/m3 in 48 out of the 49 samples (17). On the other hand, another study shows that employees who spray paints or glues in their job have an average of 1.1 ppm of hexane (18). The above data show that the main route of exposure to hexane is through inhalation.

(11) USEPA; Drinking water Criteria Document for Gasoline. ECAO-CIN-D006, 8006-61-9 (1986)

(12) O'Neil, M.J. (ed.). The Merck Index - An Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs, and Biologicals. 13th Edition, Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck and Co., Inc., 2001., p. 838

(13) Perry DL et al; Iden of Org Compounds in Ind Effluent discharges USEPA600/4-79-016 (NTIS PB-294794) p. 230 (1979)] (14) Hansch C et al; Exploring QSAR. Hydrophobic, Electronic, and Steric Constants. ACS Prof Ref Book. Heller SR, consult. ed., Washington, DC: Amer Chem Soc p. 24 (1995)

(15) DeWalle FB, Chian ESK; J Am Water Works Assoc 73: 206-11 (1981) (16) NIOSH; National Occupational Exposure Survey (NOES) (1983) (17) Rappaport SM et al; Appl Ind Hyg 2: 148-54 (1987) (18) Whitehead LW et al; Am Indust Hyg Assoc J 45: 762-72 (1984)]