Known Health Effects of Chemicals Detected in Ambient Air
According to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (“OSHA”), the National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health (“NIOSH”), US EPA, and data reported in Material Safety Data Sheets
(“MSDS”), the chemicals detected are known to cause various harmful health effects such as irritation,
headache, nausea and vomiting, loss of coordination, respiratory tract irritation, narcosis, lung and kidney
damage, depression of the central nervous system, and potentially asphyxiation. Most, if not all, of these
chemicals are also flammable and therefore constitute an explosion hazard. See below for a detailed
description of the health and fire hazards for each specific chemical. It should be noted that OSHA and
NIOSH do not typically consider the cumulative and long-term effects of chemicals and the additive
effects of multiple chemicals.
Methane- Exposure to oxygen-deficient atmosphere may result in dizziness, drowsiness, nausea,
vomiting, diminished mental alertness, loss of consciousness, and death. This chemical is very flammable
and may explode when heated.1
Ethane- If in high concentrations, leading to an oxygen-deficient environment, inhalation will cause
symptoms such as headache, ringing in the ears, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, and vomiting. At even
higher levels, disturbed muscular coordination, and depression of all senses, unconsciousness, and death
may occur. Chronic exposure to oxygen deficient atmospheres below 18% oxygen in the air may affect
the heart and nervous system. The liquid and gas both a fire hazard, and distant ignition and flashbacks
are possible.2
Propane- Short-term exposure can lead to dizziness, disorientation, and excitation, as well as nausea and
vomiting. High levels can result in unconsciousness and cardiac arrest from asphyxia. Long-term
intermittent exposure to high concentrations may cause nosebleeds, rhinitis, oral and nasal ulcerations,
conjunctivitis, weight loss, lethargy, fatigue, and damage to the central nervous system. This chemical
also has the potential to cause an explosion.3
2,2-Dimethylbutane (Neohexane)- The major health hazards include respiratory tract irritation, skin
irritation, eye irritation, and depression of the central nervous system. From short term exposure, one may
1
Methane MSDS. The Linde Group. 5 March 2010.
Ethane MSDS. Airgas. 29 February 2004.
3
Propane. OSHA Chemical Sampling Information.
2
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also experience nausea, vomiting, headache, and symptoms of drunkenness. This chemical is flammable
in the liquid and vapor form and has the potential to cause a flash fire.4
2,3-Dimethylbutane- Health hazards of 2,3-Dimethylbutane include respiratory tract infection, skin and
eye irritation, and depression of the central nervous system. Short term exposure of inhalation and
ingestion are irritation, vomiting, drowsiness, symptoms of drunkenness, digestive disorders, convulsions,
and coma. This chemical is also flammable in the liquid and vapor form and has the potential to cause a
flash fire.5
2,3-Dimethylpentane- This chemical can cause skin irritation, drowsiness or dizziness, and may be fatal
if swallowed and enters airways. This chemical is also highly flammable.6
2,4-Dimethylpentane- This chemical can cause irritation and lung congestion if ingested or inhaled. This
chemical is also flammable in the liquid and vapor forms and may cause flash fires.7
2-Methylhexane- Health hazards from skin contact and ingestion include irritation, nausea, stomach
pains, symptoms of drunkenness, convulsions and coma. This chemical is also flammable and can cause
flash fires.8
3-Methylhexane- This chemical may cause eye and skin irritation, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea,
lung damage, irritation to the respiratory tract, and central nervous system depression. This chemical is
also highly flammable.9
2-Methylpentane- The major health hazards are respiratory tract irritation, skin and eye irritation, and
depression of the central nervous system. Short-term exposure from inhalation, skin contact, and ingestion
may result in irritation, nausea, vomiting, headache, symptoms of drunkenness. Long-term exposure can
result in kidney damage. This chemical liquid and vapor forms are flammable and the vapor may cause a
flash fire.10
3-Methylpentane- Major hazards are respiratory tract irritation and the depression of the central nervous
system. Short and long term exposure through skin and eye contact will cause irritation. Short and long
term exposure by inhalation can cause irritation, headache, drowsiness and dizziness, loss of coordination,
4
Neohexane MSDS. Matheson TriGas. 11 December 2008.
2,3-Dimethylbutane MSDS. Matheson TriGas. 11 December 2008.
6
2,3-Dimethylpentane MSDS. Sigma-Aldrich. 30 June 2014.
7
2,4-Dimethylpentane MSDS. Matheson TriGas. 11 December 2008.
8
2-Methylhexane MSDS. Matheson TriGas. 11 December 2008.
9
3-Methylhexane 99% MSDS. Acros Organics. 20 July 2009.
10
2-Methylpentane MSDS. Matheson TriGas. 11 December 2008.
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convulsions, and coma. Ingestion may result in nausea, vomiting, headache, drowsiness, dizziness, loss of
coordination, convulsions, coma, and possible asphyxiation. The liquid and vapor are flammable and the
vapor has the potential to cause a flash fire.11
n-Butane- Symptoms from exposure include drowsiness, narcosis, asphyxia and cardiac arrhythmia. nButane is also explosive.12
Isobutane- Symptoms due to exposure include drowsiness, narcosis, and shortness of breath. It can also
lead to death through asphyxia and ventricular fibrillation. This chemical is also an explosion hazard.13
Cyclohexane- Toxicity effects of cyclohexane can range from headaches to tremors, convulsions, and
unconsciousness. Liquid and vapor forms of cyclohexane that come in contact with the eyes will cause
damage. Repeated exposure can result in damage to the nervous system, eyes, and respiratory system.
Cyclohexane is also flammable.14
Methylcyclohexane- This chemical effects the eyes, skin, respiratory system, and the central nervous
system. Symptoms from exposure to this chemical include irritation of the eyes, skin, and respiratory
tract, dizziness and drowsiness, narcosis, chemical pneumonia, and nausea. Vapor and air mixtures may
also be explosive.15
Cyclopentane- Exposure symptoms are irritation of the eyes, skin, nose, and throat, dry and cracking
skin, dizziness, euphoria, incoordination/stupor, nausea, and vomiting.16
n-Hexane- Breathing in large amounts of n-hexane can cause numbness of the hands and feet, leading to
weakness in the lower legs and feet. If exposure is continued, paralysis of the arms and legs will occur. In
laboratory studies, nerve damage, lung damage, and damage to sperm-forming cells occurred.17
n-Heptane- Respiratory irritation, dizziness and vertigo, incoordination, and unconsciousness are health
factors that may result from exposure to this chemical. A persistent gasoline taste in the mouth will also
occur. n-Heptane vapor and air mixtures are also explosive.18
11
3-Methylpentane MSDS. Matheson TriGas. 11 December 2008.
Butane. OSHA Chemical Sampling Information.
13
Isobutane. OSHA Chemical Sampling Information.
14
Chemicals in the Environment: Cyclohexane OPPT Chemical Fact Sheet. Office of Pollution Prevention and
Toxics US EPA. September 1994.
15
Methylcyclohexane. OSHA Chemical Sampling Information.
16
Cyclopentane. CDC Niosh Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards.
17
ToxFAQ for N-Hexane. Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry. June 1999.
18
Heptane. OSHA Chemical Sampling Information.
12
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Methylcyclopentane- Short-term exposure and long-term exposure through inhalation and ingestion are
irritation, headache, nausea, drowsiness and symptoms of drunkenness. High concentrations can cause
asphyxiation. The major health hazards of this compound are respiratory tract irritation, irritation of the
skin and eyes, and depression of the central nervous system. This chemical is also extremely flammable in
the liquid and vapor forms, and the vapor may cause a flash fire.19
n-Octane- Causes irritation of the eyes, nose, skin, and mucous membranes. High concentrations can
cause drowsiness and narcosis.20
n-Pentane- Symptoms of n-Pentane exposure include irritation of the eyes and nose, nausea and
vomiting, headache, dermatitis, drowsiness, and chemical pneumonitis. At high levels, it is a narcosis and
asphyxiant. Vapor and air mixtures of this chemical are flammable and explosive.21
Isopentane (2-Methylbutane)- Can cause irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and skin. It may also lead to
coughing, sore throat, headache, shortness of breath, dizziness, and unconsciousness and irregular
heartbeat. Ingestion of isopentane can result in pain in the abdomen, nausea, vomiting, and chemical
pneumonitis. This chemical can also be explosive in vapor and air mixtures.22
Propylene- Explosive if exposed to oxidizers. At high concentrations, propylene can cause drowsiness
and unconsciousness.23
19
Methylcyclopentante MSDS. Matheson TriGas. 11 December 2008.
Octane. OSHA Chemical Sampling Information.
21
Pentane. OSHA Chemical Sampling Information.
22
2-Methylbutane. OSHA Chemical Sampling Information.
23
Propylene. OSHA Chemical Sampling Information.
20
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