Search citation statements
Paper Sections
Citation Types
Year Published
Publication Types
Relationship
Authors
Journals
Hydrocarbon solvents are liquid hydrocarbon fractions derived from petroleum processing streams, containing only carbon and hydrogen atoms, with carbon numbers ranging from approximately C5-C20 and boiling between approximately 35-370°C. Many of the hydrocarbon solvents have complex and variable compositions with constituents of 4 types, alkanes (normal paraffins, isoparaffins, and cycloparaffins) and aromatics (primarily alkylated one-and tworing species). Because of the compositional complexity, hydrocarbon solvents are now identified by a nomenclature ("the naming convention") that describes them in terms of physical/ chemical properties and compositional elements. Despite the compositional complexity, most hydrocarbon solvent constituents have similar toxicological properties, and the overall toxicological hazards can be characterized in generic terms. To facilitate hazard characterization, the solvents were divided into 9 groups (categories) of substances with similar physical and chemical properties. Hydrocarbon solvents can cause chemical pneumonitis if aspirated into the lung, and those that are volatile can cause acute CNS effects and/or ocular and respiratory irritation at exposure levels exceeding occupational recommendations. Otherwise, there are few toxicologically important effects. The exceptions, n-hexane and naphthalene, have unique toxicological properties, and those solvents containing constituents for which classification is required under the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) are differentiated by the substance names. Toxicological information from studies of representative substances was used to fulfill REACH registration requirements and to satisfy the needs of the OECD High Production Volume (HPV) initiative. As shown in the examples provided, the hazard characterization data can be used for hazard classification and for occupational exposure limit recommendations. Introduction Scope and purpose of the documentThe present document summarizes information on the physical/ chemical properties and toxicological hazards of hydrocarbon solvents and provides examples of the ways in which the information on hazard characterization can be used for hazard classification and to set occupational exposure limits. Many of the toxicological studies were published separately, but the results are summarized herein and referenced in the appendices.Hydrocarbon solvents are liquid hydrocarbon fractions that are primarily produced by the distillation of petroleum feed stocks or their synthetic analogs (e.g., Fischer-Tropsch derived materials), sometimes followed by additional processing steps such as solvent extraction, hydrodesulfurization, or hydrogenation. 1 Most hydrocarbon solvents are complex substances with variable compositions and are best described as UVCB 2 (unknown and variable composition) substances, but some are single constituent (mono-constituent) substances. The complex and variable nature of these solvents is the consequence of their manufacturing processes. In short, most hydroca...
Hydrocarbon solvents are liquid hydrocarbon fractions derived from petroleum processing streams, containing only carbon and hydrogen atoms, with carbon numbers ranging from approximately C5-C20 and boiling between approximately 35-370°C. Many of the hydrocarbon solvents have complex and variable compositions with constituents of 4 types, alkanes (normal paraffins, isoparaffins, and cycloparaffins) and aromatics (primarily alkylated one-and tworing species). Because of the compositional complexity, hydrocarbon solvents are now identified by a nomenclature ("the naming convention") that describes them in terms of physical/ chemical properties and compositional elements. Despite the compositional complexity, most hydrocarbon solvent constituents have similar toxicological properties, and the overall toxicological hazards can be characterized in generic terms. To facilitate hazard characterization, the solvents were divided into 9 groups (categories) of substances with similar physical and chemical properties. Hydrocarbon solvents can cause chemical pneumonitis if aspirated into the lung, and those that are volatile can cause acute CNS effects and/or ocular and respiratory irritation at exposure levels exceeding occupational recommendations. Otherwise, there are few toxicologically important effects. The exceptions, n-hexane and naphthalene, have unique toxicological properties, and those solvents containing constituents for which classification is required under the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) are differentiated by the substance names. Toxicological information from studies of representative substances was used to fulfill REACH registration requirements and to satisfy the needs of the OECD High Production Volume (HPV) initiative. As shown in the examples provided, the hazard characterization data can be used for hazard classification and for occupational exposure limit recommendations. Introduction Scope and purpose of the documentThe present document summarizes information on the physical/ chemical properties and toxicological hazards of hydrocarbon solvents and provides examples of the ways in which the information on hazard characterization can be used for hazard classification and to set occupational exposure limits. Many of the toxicological studies were published separately, but the results are summarized herein and referenced in the appendices.Hydrocarbon solvents are liquid hydrocarbon fractions that are primarily produced by the distillation of petroleum feed stocks or their synthetic analogs (e.g., Fischer-Tropsch derived materials), sometimes followed by additional processing steps such as solvent extraction, hydrodesulfurization, or hydrogenation. 1 Most hydrocarbon solvents are complex substances with variable compositions and are best described as UVCB 2 (unknown and variable composition) substances, but some are single constituent (mono-constituent) substances. The complex and variable nature of these solvents is the consequence of their manufacturing processes. In short, most hydroca...
The aliphatic hydrocarbons discussed in this chapter are open‐chain compounds that may be saturated or unsaturated. The saturated compounds, known as paraffin hydrocarbons or alkanes, include methane and its homologs having the empirical formula C n H 2 n +2 . The unsaturated compounds fall into a number of homologous series: ( 1 ) those containing one double bond (ethene and its homologs) and having the formula C n H 2n are known as olefins or alkenes; ( 2 ) those containing one triple bond (acetylene and its homologs) are called acetylenes or alkynes and have the formula C n H 2 n −2 ; ( 3 ) those having two double bonds (allene, 1,3‐butadiene, and 1,4‐pentadiene represent three types) are diolefins or alkadienes and also have the formula C n H 2 n −2 ; ( 4 ) those having a large number of double or triple bonds or both double and triple bonds are named in analogous fashion as alkatrienes , alkatetraenes , alkadiynes , alkenynes , and alkadienynes . Aliphatic hydrocarbons have the potential to act as asphyxiants and central nervous system (CNS) depressants. Serious toxic effects of aliphatic hydrocarbons include asphyxia and chemical pneumonitis for many of the compounds in this category. There is evidence in humans of axonal neuropathy for n ‐hexane and cancer for 1,3‐butadiene. The hepatic and renal systems can be impacted by target organ toxicity, some of which may not be relevant to human.
The German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area has re‐evaluated trimethylpentane (all isomers) [ 564‐02‐3 , 540‐84‐1 , 560‐21‐4 , 565‐75‐3 ] considering all toxicological endpoints. Available unpublished study reports and publications are described in detail. The re‐examination determined that it is difficult to draw final conclusions from a carcinogenicity study of a mixture of 542 hydrocarbons and from mechanistical studies with some of their single components. Thus, the assignment to Carcinogen Category 3 A has been withdrawn. The critical effect is the acute effect on the central nervous system in rats. The NOAEC after 60 min inhalation is 500 ml 2,2,4‐trimethylpentane/m 3 . Experimental data from structurally analogous n‐alkanes and iso‐alkanes lead to the assumption that the concentration of 2,2,4‐trimethylpentane in the brain after 8 hours will be about twice as high as after one hour. The short half‐life in the brain, estimated to be about one hour, does not predict an accumulation during the work week. The same assumptions are made for the other trimethylpentane isomers. Thus, taking into consideration uncertainties in the extrapolation of animal to human data, a MAK value of 100 ml/m 3 (470 mg/m 3 ) is set for all trimethylpentane isomers. As the critical effect is systemic, trimethylpentane isomers are assigned to Peak Limitation Category II. The excursion factor of 2 is set as the estimated half‐life in the brain is one hour. Prenatal developmental toxicity studies with trimethylpentane isomers are not available. For structurally analogous C8‐isoalkanes the NOAEC for developmental toxicity in rats is more than 1200 ml/m 3 . Acute neurotoxicity is critical, but the consequences of acute neurotoxic effects on in‐utero development of the nervous system are not known and studies on developmental neurotoxicity of C8‐alkanes are not available. Thus, trimethylpentane isomers are classified in Pregnancy Risk Group D. There are no clinical data and no data in animals concerning the sensitizing potential of trimethylpentane isomers. In analogy to n‐heptane, skin contact is not expected to contribute significantly to systemic toxicity.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2025 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.