WHAT IS HEXANE?

Uncover the hidden dangers

Recent research from France and Italy reveals alarming levels of n-hexane metabolites in people from many countries. If you are curious about the origins of this toxic substance and the potential health risks it poses, read this page to dive deeper and uncover the facts.

“Hexane related Health Risks discovered by University Researchers”

Scientists at two major Universities in France and Italy confirmed a significant exposure of the general population to hexane, a hazardous solvent and known neurotoxin. The team evaluated eleven independent studies that showed a significant level of n-hexane metabolites in the general public. Test results were from Mexico, Italy, China, Sweden, Japan and Germany.

🌐 Cravotto et al. 2022

Where is this Toxic Hexane coming from?

There is a high probability that residues both from plant foods and animal products are responsible for this hexane exposure. Hexane is used as a processing aid for food, feed and pharmaceutical products. It can never be fully removed.

Does Hexane cause Health Problems?

The health effects of n-hexane have been evaluated in observational occupational and population-based epidemiological studies, case reports/series, and experimental animal studies. The available information suggests that adverse neurological, respiratory, developmental, and reproductive effects are the most important health concerns related to exposure to n-hexane

HEALTH EFFECTS OF HEXANE

What is Hexane?

Hexane or n-hexane is a straight-chain alkane with six carbon atoms and the molecular formula C6H14. n-hexane is a colorless liquid with a slightly disagreeable, gasoline-like odor. n-Hexane is produced from natural gas and crude oil. Its main use in industry is in products known as solvents.

Commercial hexane is a mixture that contains approximately 52% n-hexane; the balance is made up of varying amounts of structural isomers and related chemicals, such as methylpentane and methylcyclopentane.

HOW HEXANE IS PRODUCED

How Hazardous is Hexane?

“Hazards Identification” from USDA website :

DANGER! EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE LIQUID AND VAPOR. VAPOR MAY CAUSE FLASH FIRE. HARMFUL OR FATAL IF SWALLOWED. HARMFUL IF INHALED. CAUSES IRRITATION TO SKIN, EYES AND RESPIRATORY TRACT. AFFECTS THE CENTRAL AND PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEMS

Health and Environmental Risks of Hexane Exposure

Flammable

Serious health hazard

Health Hazard

Hazardous to the environment

Hexane is considered hazardous by the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200).

In Europe, the ECHA (European Chemical Hazards Agency) highlights that this substance causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure and is suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child.

🌐 ECHA page on n-hexane

Is Hexane produced Sustainably?

No – Hexane is NOT made sustainably. It is derived from Petroleum which, like coal and natural gas, is a nonrenewable material. Petroleum took millions of years to form, and once it is extracted and consumed, it releases fossil carbon in the atmosphere. As we are using petroleum products faster than it is formed, there is no way for us to replace it.

As a result, both industrial processors and consumers today are shifting away from petroleum-based chemicals and solvents. Consequently, they are now turning to plant-based sustainably sourced materials. They prefer eco-friendly products over non-sustainable products.

Hexane Uses

The major use for hexane is in food processing to extract vegetable oils from crops, defat proteins for food and feed, as cleaning agents in the printing, textile, furniture, and shoemaking industries (used in special glues), and in the extraction of flavorings, perfumes, nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals from biological substrates. Because of their easily accessibility, solvents and glues containing n-hexane are often used in inhalant abuse

In the food industry, n-hexane is used to extract oil from plant-based seeds. This process produces two main outputs: oil, which is widely used in food applications, and proteins, which serve as ingredients for both food and animal feed. Hexane is typically mixed with crushed oilseeds to extract oil and produce defatted meals, which are the base of farm animal diet. Hexane is then removed from the end products and recycled.

However, not all of the hexane is recovered during the recycling step. Some escapes to the atmosphere and some is left as a residue in products. Residues in meal by-products can transfer into animal-derived products through the food chain.

Consequently, most of conventionally processed food like bakery products, prepared meals, table oils, infant formula, plant-based products, and potentially dairy, eggs and meat, contains hexane residues. Hexane is also used in the extraction of natural flavors.

PRODUCTS MADE WITH HEXANE

If Hexane is so Toxic, why is it still being used in the Food and Feed Processing?

There are three key reasons that neurotoxic hexane is still being used in the extraction of products such as vegetable oils, fats, flavors, fragrances, color additives or other bioactive ingredients.

1From a chemical and economical perspective – it really works well as a solvent.

In order to extract oils or similar materials from seeds or other biomass, a solvent is needed that is non-polar (has an affinity for the oils or other desired extraction products) and has hydrophobic properties (does not mix well with water). Safer methods have been available for many years to extract oils from some seeds or plants, such as using screw presses or supercritical carbon dioxide systems, but they are not as cost effective as solvent extraction with hexane.

Processors generally prefer hexane as an extraction solvent because it is cheap and it has a high evaporation rate combined with a low boiling point. It is liquid at room temperatures, and it boils easily at 69 degrees Celsius (about 156 degrees Fahrenheit). Hexane evaporates quickly, allowing it to extract oil with limited energy costs and excellent yields.
2Historically, consumers of edible oils, NGOs and even authorities were not aware of the dangers of hexane in their oils or foods.

Just as with many other toxic chemicals such as lead, mercury, bisphenol, PFAS (Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and MOSH / MOAH (Mineral oil hydrocarbons) that are now being found in the food people eat and water they drink in much larger quantities than previously suspected – Hexane toxicity had escaped notice by the general public for many years.
3Prior to 2023 a safe, sustainable and cost-effective alternative to Hexane with limited modification was not available for use in food processing.
Today there is a safe and sustainable alternative for hexane. In 2023, after extensive testing, a plant-based solvent called 2-methyloxolane (2-MeOx), was added to the European list of approved food grade solvents (Directive 2009/32/CE) providing a solvent able to extract lipophilic molecules and that is as effective as hexane.

Now producers of natural oils, proteins and flavors can produce safer and more environmentally friendly ingredients for their customers by replacing the use of hexane with 2-methyloxolane (2-MeOx). This will help reduce the exposure of the general population to toxic hexane.

EDIBLE OIL EXTRACTION TIMELINE

SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVES TO HEXANE EXTRACTION

What Regulations control the use of Hexane?

Hexane, classified as a processing aid, is subject to less strict regulations than food additives and does not require labeling. While international guidelines, such as the Codex Alimentarius, place responsibility on suppliers and users to demonstrate its safety, no regulatory agency has yet set a safe ingestion dose. A 2024 EFSA review has called for a reexamination of its authorization in food processing.

Related Articles

To find out the impact of hexane on human health :

DISCOVER HEXANE

Watch the following video to learn how hexane affects your daily life

Launch The Video

Play