Number
265-EN
Section
General Section
Use
Sector
Health services
Other
Function
Solvent
Other
Process
Chemical production or refinery in closed process without likelihood of exposure or processes with equivalent containment conditions.
Product category
Pharmaceuticals
other
Application
Supercritical carbon dioxide as alternative
Abstract
Hexane, a good solvent but a flammable and toxic substance was replaced by a company with supercritical carbon dioxide in extracting active ingredients from herbs. The use of extracts for therapeutic purposes means that great attention is paid to the product quality and to eliminating compounds (even impurities) that may have a negative impact on health.
Substituted substances
n-Hexane
CAS No. 110-54-3 EC No. 203-777-6 Index No. 601-037-00-0
Chemical group
Hydrocarbon, aliphatic, saturated
Classification: hazard statements
H225 Highly flammable liquid and vapour
H361f Suspected of damaging fertility
H304 May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways
H336 May cause drowsiness or dizziness
H373 May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure
H315 Causes skin irritation
H411 Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects
Other adverse effects
The substance is: endocrine disruptor (SIN List), neurotoxic cat. 3 (Vela et al.) as listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORT Screening Criteria (SDSC).
Alternative Substances
Carbon dioxide
CAS No. 124-38-9 EC No. 204-696-9 Index No.
Chemical group
Carbonyl compounds
Reliability of information
Internet information: data are from an internet document and only a basic and partial evaluation could be performed
Reason substitution
ED
skin/respiratory sensitizing
ecotoxicity
PBT
Hazard Assessment
Besides its inclusion in the EU harmonized classification for physical and chemical hazards to humans and the environment, hexane is also included in the database of hazardous substance according to SUBSPORT as endocrine disruptor and neurotoxicant.
Description of Substitution
A producer of therapeutic products from plants uses carbon dioxide (CO2) as alternative to chemical solvents like hexane or other organic solvents. Supercritical extraction can produce a pure, highly concentrated extract. This method is also less damaging to the active ingredients than the methods using heat and/or chemicals. The process takes place in closed system. The extract is separated from the carbon dioxide in two stages: first gravitationally and then centrifuged. After this the carbon dioxide is cooled again for liquefaction and recycled.
Case/substitution evaluation
The substitution needs redesigning of the extraction process. CO2 is not a neurotoxicant nor is it an endocrine disruptor, like hexane. In closed enclosures there is however the risk of suffocation by large amounts of CO2 leacks. If the CO2 is not from atmospheric air or recycled sources it contributes to the carbon foot print of the company, as it is a known greenhouse gas. Physical_hazards relating to installations using liquefied gases need to be controlled.
State of implementation
Full capacity
Type of information supplier
User
Contact
The case is based on the presentation published by the producer on the merged website of TransformYourHealth.com and BeyondProbiotics.net, https://www.transformyourhealthnetwork.com/
Type of publication and availability
Internet document
Date, reviewed
November 26, 2021