Occupational ototoxicity of n-hexane

The ability of chemicals to produce hearing loss themselves or to promote noise-induced hearing loss has been reported for some organic solvents. The objective of this study was to review the literature on the effects of low-level exposure to n-hexane on the auditory system and consider its relevanc...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Human & experimental toxicology 2008-06, Vol.27 (6), p.471-476
Main Authors: Vyskocil, A, Leroux, T, Truchon, G, Gendron, M, El Majidi, N, Viau, C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adhesives - adverse effects
Air Pollutants, Occupational - adverse effects
Animals
Biological and medical sciences
Chemical and industrial products toxicology. Toxic occupational diseases
Evoked Potentials, Auditory - drug effects
Hearing loss
Hearing Loss - etiology
Hearing Loss - physiopathology
Hexanes - adverse effects
Human exposure
Humans
Inhalation Exposure
Medical sciences
Noise - adverse effects
Occupational Diseases - etiology
Occupational Diseases - physiopathology
Occupational Exposure - adverse effects
Occupational health
Rodents
Solvents
Threshold Limit Values
Toxicology
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Summary:The ability of chemicals to produce hearing loss themselves or to promote noise-induced hearing loss has been reported for some organic solvents. The objective of this study was to review the literature on the effects of low-level exposure to n-hexane on the auditory system and consider its relevance for occupational settings. Both human and animal investigations were evaluated only for realistic exposure concentrations based on the permissible inhalation exposure limits. In Quebec, the time-weighted average exposure value (TWAEV) for 8 h is 50 ppm. In humans, the upper limit for considering ototoxicity data relevant to the occupational exposure situation was set at five times the TWAEV. Animal data were evaluated only for exposure concentrations up to 100 times the TWAEV. There is no convincing evidence of n-hexane-induced hearing loss in workers. In rats, n-hexane seems to affect auditory function; however, the site of these alterations cannot be determined from the present data. Further studies with sufficient data on the exposure of workers to n-hexane are necessary to make a definitive conclusion. In the interim, we recommend considering n-hexane as a possibly ototoxic agent.
ISSN:0960-3271
1477-0903
DOI:10.1177/0960327108093719