Investigation and reflection on two cluster incidents of occupational chronic n-hexane poisoning
10.20001/j.issn.2095-2619.20250620
- VernacularTitle:职业性慢性正己烷中毒事件2起调查与思考
- Author:
Zhiming LI
1
;
Sijun CHEN
;
Hao CHEN
;
Jinlin YU
;
Yifeng ZHENG
;
Jing WANG
;
Yuanjun LIAO
Author Information
1. Pinghu Public Health Service Center, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518111, China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
n-Hexane;
Occupational poisoning;
Chronic poisoning;
Organic solvents;
Occupational exposure limit
- From:
China Occupational Medicine
2025;52(3):353-356
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Occupational chronic n-hexane poisoning incidents have been effectively curtailed in traditional printing and footwear industries, but its hazards are emerging in new industries. In recent years, two cluster incidents involving eight patients with occupational chronic n-hexane poisoning had occurred in Longgang District, Shenzhen City. Unlike the cleaning processes of electronic components in the electronics industry, these two incidents occurred during cleaning operations of non-electronic products. The rapid on-site detection tubes indicated the presence of n-hexane in the organic solvents used at the work site, and subsequent analysis of volatile components of the organic solvents further confirmed the involvement of n-hexane. Although the n-hexane exposure concentration of short term in the workplace air samples were below its occupational exposure limit, all eight cases were diagnosed as occupational chronic n-hexane poisoning, based on occupational exposure history, clinical manifestations, field investigations, and laboratory test results. These two poisoning incidents highlight that in air-conditioned or enclosed workshops with substandard occupational disease prevention facilities, the use of n-hexane containing organic solvents may result in occupational chronic n-hexane poisoning, even when the air monitoring results do not exceed the occupational exposure limits.
