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Chemical collection and stock control for UK schools, universities and hospitals

Hexane (CAS 110-54-3): storage and disposal

Hexane is held neat or as mixed hexanes in school, college and university stores. It is highly flammable and classified for aspiration, skin irritation, drowsiness, suspected damage to fertility and organ damage through prolonged or repeated exposure. N-hexane in particular is known to damage nerves after long exposure. That long-term effect, rather than any short-term fire risk alone, shapes who handles it and for how long.

CAS number
110-54-3
Form
Liquid
Storage class
Flammable
Signal word
Danger
Usual EWC code
16 05 06*
  • Flammable pictogramFlammable
  • Harmful or irritant pictogramHarmful or irritant
  • Serious health hazard pictogramSerious health hazard
  • Hazardous to the environment pictogramHazardous to the environment

What to do this week

  1. Check the label is readable and write down the opened date if it is not already there.
  2. Check it is stored as flammable stock and apart from the items listed under "Do not store with".
  3. If you no longer need it, add it to your disposal list so it goes on the next collection.

Safe storage in a school or lab

A quick check at the shelf is whether the bottle is labelled as n-hexane or as a mixture of hexanes, because both turn up in older stores and the label should say which. Keep it in a ventilated fire-resistant cabinet with spill containment, away from ignition sources, with the stock record to hand. Nitric acid reacts violently with organic solvents and perchloric acid forms explosive mixtures with organic material, so neither belongs near it. Because the harm builds with repeated exposure, store it where staff are not opening the cabinet all day, and keep the stock to what a term actually needs.

How to tell it has deteriorated

Clear and colourless whatever its age, this liquid makes a clean-looking bottle prove little. How it changes is mostly physical: the level falls as the vapour leaves, a worn cap liner lets that happen faster, and labels near the neck stain from drips. Technicians should look for bottles topped up from another container without relabelling, since mixed hexanes and n-hexane then become confused. A bulging or sucked-in wall points to a failing seal. Leave such a bottle upright on a tray and add it to the collection list, noting the fault and the last date it was checked.

How it must be disposed of

By specialist collection only. It never goes down the drain or into general waste. It is normally packed in a flammable laboratory pack with compatible chemicals.

The collector packs it in UN approved packaging, in a lab pack with other compatible flammable organic liquids. Whether it is n-hexane or mixed hexanes should be written on the list, because the nerve effect is attached to n-hexane. Teaching labs usually fit 16 05 06* for packed stock, while a loose bottle of discarded organic chemical not sent in a pack uses 16 05 08*. It is never emptied into a sink or evaporated in the fume cupboard, and nobody should try to treat it before collection.

Waste codes and transport details for Hexane
EWC code, laboratory chemicals16 05 06*
Discarded organic chemical, not a laboratory pack16 05 08*
Hazardous wasteYes

20 01 13* (solvents) belongs to municipal collections and is shown for reference only. It is not the normal code for a laboratory collection.

The code depends on where the waste came from and what it is mixed with. Use the waste code finder to see why.

Do not store with

  • OxidiserOxidisers can ignite flammable materials or make a fire far more intense.
  • AcidOxidising acids can ignite flammable materials, and acid fumes attack containers and seals.
  • CorrosiveA leak of corrosive stock can break down flammable containers and feed a fire.

Named chemicals to keep apart

  • Acetic acidOxidising acids can ignite flammable materials, and acid fumes attack containers and seals.
  • Calcium hypochloriteOxidisers can ignite flammable materials or make a fire far more intense.
  • Hydrochloric acidOxidising acids can ignite flammable materials, and acid fumes attack containers and seals.
  • Hydrogen peroxideOxidisers can ignite flammable materials or make a fire far more intense.
  • Nitric acidNitric acid reacts violently with organic solvents and can ignite them or build pressure in waste bottles.
  • Perchloric acidPerchloric acid forms explosive mixtures with organic material.
  • Potassium nitrateOxidisers can ignite flammable materials or make a fire far more intense.
  • Potassium permanganateOxidisers can ignite flammable materials or make a fire far more intense.
Show 3 more
  • Sulfuric acidOxidising acids can ignite flammable materials, and acid fumes attack containers and seals.
  • Thionyl chlorideA leak of corrosive stock can break down flammable containers and feed a fire.
  • Zinc chlorideA leak of corrosive stock can break down flammable containers and feed a fire.

Common quantities we collect

Usually held as: neat, mixed hexanes.

Part-used bottles and full containers are both fine. Tell us the size and how many, and an estimate is enough for a first price.

Where it is commonly held

Hazard statements

  • H225 Highly flammable liquid and vapour.
  • H304 May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways.
  • H315 Causes skin irritation.
  • H336 May cause drowsiness or dizziness.
  • H361f Suspected of damaging fertility.
  • H372 Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure.
  • H411 Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
Precautionary statements
  • P203 Obtain, read and follow all safety instructions before use.
  • P210 Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, sparks, open flames and other ignition sources. No smoking.
  • P233 Keep container tightly closed.
  • P240 Ground and bond container and receiving equipment.
  • P241 Use explosion-proof electrical, ventilating and lighting equipment.
  • P242 Use non-sparking tools.
  • P243 Take action to prevent static discharges.
  • P260 Do not breathe dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
  • P261 Avoid breathing dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
  • P264 Wash hands and exposed skin thoroughly after handling.
  • P270 Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
  • P271 Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
  • P273 Avoid release to the environment.
  • P280 Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
  • P301+P316 IF SWALLOWED: Get emergency medical help immediately.
  • P302+P352 IF ON SKIN: Wash with plenty of water.
  • P303+P361+P353 IF ON SKIN (or hair): Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. Rinse skin with water or shower.
  • P304+P340 IF INHALED: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.
  • P318 If exposed or concerned, get medical advice.
  • P319 Get medical help if you feel unwell.
  • P321 Specific treatment (see supplemental first aid instruction on this label).
  • P331 Do NOT induce vomiting.
  • P332+P317 If skin irritation occurs: Get medical help.
  • P362+P364 Take off contaminated clothing. And wash it before reuse.
  • P370+P378 In case of fire: Use suitable extinguishing media to extinguish.
  • P391 Collect spillage.
  • P403+P233 Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep container tightly closed.
  • P403+P235 Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep cool.
  • P405 Store locked up.
  • P501 Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local, regional, national and international regulations.

Substance as classified, dilutions may differ.

Questions

Why does it matter if our hexane is n-hexane or mixed hexanes?

N-hexane is the form known to damage nerves on long exposure, and the classification also covers suspected harm to fertility. Writing the exact label on the stock record and the collection list means the collector describes it accurately.

How long can hexane stay on the shelf?

It gives few visible signs of age, so there is no colour change to watch for. Judge it by the bottle: level, cap liner and label. Keep stock modest and review it at each stock check, then list anything no longer used for collection.

Can hexane waste be mixed with other solvent waste?

Only inside the collector's lab pack, packed by them into compatible groups. Do not combine it in a shared bottle yourself. Nitric acid and perchloric acid must never meet it, and mixing with unknown waste makes accurate description harder.

Guidance only. Check your own risk assessment and your supplier's safety data sheet.

Hazard data source: PubChem GHS Classification, retrieved 31 Oct 2026. Formula C6H14. EC number 203-777-6.

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