Question: The neurotoxicity associated with the chemical n-hexane were first observed in workers in which industry?
Answer: The cited reference notes: “The neurotoxicity of n-hexane was first observed in the shoe industries of Japan and Italy in the 1960s and early 1970s. A number of epidemiological studies were initiated in response to outbreaks of apparent peripheral neuropathy in shoe workers.” These authors go on to point out “One of the first large epidemiological investigations carried out was a case series of 93 cases of peripheral neuropathy in workers exposed to n-hexane from glues and solvents used in sandal manufacture. After several cases of advanced quadriplegia were noted in the Fukaya district, Mie prefecture, Japan, an epidemiological investigation was carried out.” (https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp113-c2.pdf; accessed July 2017)