Acceptable Limits for n-Hexane in Spacecraft Atmospheres

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:The Spacecraft Maximum Allowable Concentrations (SMACs) for C2-C9 alkanes set by NASA in 2008 under the guidance and approval of the National Research Council specifically excluded SMACs for n-hexane. Unlike other C2-C9 alkanes, n-hexane can cause polyneuropathy after metabolism in humans or rodents and so requires more stringent SMACs than the other members of this group do. This document reviews the relevant published studies of n-hexane toxicity to develop exposure duration-specific SMACs for n-hexane of 200 ppm for 1 hour, 30 ppm for 24 hours, and 2.4 ppm for 7 days, 30 days, 180 days, and 1000 days.Garcia HD. Acceptable limits for n-hexane in spacecraft atmospheres. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2021; 92(12):956–961.