Common Name: Naphthalene CAS Number: 91-20-3 DOT Number: UN 1334/UN 2304 Date: July, 1986 ----------------------------------------- HAZARD SUMMARY * Naphthalene can affect you when breathed in and by passing through your skin. * Exposure can irritate the eyes, nose and throat. Very high levels can cause headaches and nausea, damage the red blood cells, liver and kidneys and even cause death. * Repeated exposure can cause clouding of the eye lens and damage vision. IDENTIFICATION Naphthalene is either a white crystalline solid or a liquid with a strong odor like mothballs. It is used in making dyes, explosives, plastics, lubricants and as a moth repellent. REASON FOR CITATION * Naphthalene is on the Hazardous Substance List because it is regulated by OSHA and cited by ACGIH, DOT and DEP. HOW TO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE BEING EXPOSED * Exposure to hazardous substances should be routinely evaluated. This may include collecting air samples. Under OSHA 1910.20, you have a legal right to obtain copies of sampling results from your employer. If you think you are experiencing any work-related health problems, see a doctor trained to recognize occupational diseases. Take this Fact Sheet with you. * ODOR THRESHOLD = 0.084 ppm. * The odor threshold only serves as a warning of exposure. Not smelling it does not mean you are not being exposed. ----------------------------------------- WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS OSHA: The legal airborne permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 10 ppm averaged over an 8-hour work-shift. ACGIH: The recommended airborne exposure limit is 10 ppm averaged over an 8-hour workshift and 15 ppm as a STEL (short term exposure limit). * The above exposure limits are for air levels only. When skin contact also occurs, you may be overexposed, even though air levels are less than the limits listed above. WAYS OF REDUCING EXPOSURE * Where possible, enclose operations and use local exhaust ventilation at the site of chemical release. If local exhaust ventilation or enclosure is not used, respirators should be worn. * Wear protective work clothing. * Wash thoroughly immediately after exposure to Naphthalene and at the end of the workshift. * Post hazard and warning information in the work area. In addition, as part of an ongoing education and training effort, communicate all information on the health and safety hazards of Naphthalene to potentially exposed workers. This Fact Sheet is a summary source of information of all potential and most severe health hazards that may result from exposure. Duration of exposure, concentration of the substance and other factors will affect your susceptibility to any of the potential effects described below. ------------------------------------------ HEALTH HAZARD INFORMATION Acute Health Effects The following acute (short-term) health effects may occur immediately or shortly after exposure to Naphthalene: * Exposure can irritate the eyes, nose and throat. Very high levels can cause headaches and nausea, damage the red blood cells causing hemolytic anemia (low blood count), and damage the liver and kidneys. Death can occur. * Very high exposure can damage the nerves of the eye. Chronic Health Effects The following chronic (long-term) health effects can occur at some time after exposure to Naphthalene and can last for months or years: Cancer Hazard * According to the information presently available to the New Jersey Department of Health, Naphthalene has not been tested for its ability to cause cancer in animals. Reproductive Hazard * There is limited evidence that Naphthalene may damage the developing fetus. Other Long-Term Effects * Repeated exposure can cause clouding of eye lens, which may damage vision. * Naphthalene can cause headaches, fatigue and nausea with repeated exposure. * Naphthalene may cause a skin allergy. If allergy develops, very low future exposures can cause itching and a skin rash. MEDICAL Medical Testing For those with frequent or potentially high exposure (half the TLV or greater, or significant skin contact), the following is recommended before beginning work and at regular times after that: * Exam of the eyes and vision. If symptoms develop or overexposure is suspected, the following may be useful: * Liver and kidney function tests. * Complete blood count. * Evaluation by a qualified allergist, including careful exposure history and special testing, may help diagnose skin allergy. Any evaluation should include a careful history of past and present symptoms with an exam. Medical tests that look for damage already done are not a substitute for controlling exposure. Request copies of your medical testing. You have a legal right to this information under OSHA 1910.20. Conditions Made Worse By Exposure * People with an inherited condition called "G-6-P-D deficiency" are more likely to develop blood cell damage from exposure to Naphthalene. WORKPLACE CONTROLS AND PRACTICES Unless a less toxic chemical can be substituted for a hazardous substance, ENGINEERING CONTROLS are the most effective way of reducing exposure. The best protection is to enclose operations and/or provide local exhaust ventilation at the site of chemical release. Isolating operations can also reduce exposure. Using respirators or protective equipment is less effective than the controls mentioned above, but is sometimes necessary. In evaluating the controls present in your workplace, consider: (1) how hazardous the substance is, (2) how much of the substance is released into the workplace and (3) whether harmful skin or eye contact could occur. Special controls should be in place for highly toxic chemicals or when significant skin, eye, or breathing exposures are possible. In addition, the following control is recommended: * Where possible, automatically pump molten Naphthalene from drums or other storage containers to process containers. Good WORK PRACTICES can help to reduce hazardous exposures. The following work practices are recommended: * Workers whose clothing has been contaminated by Naphthalene should change into clean clothing promptly. * Do not take contaminated work clothes home. Family members could be exposed. * Contaminated work clothes should be laundered by individuals who have been informed of the hazards of exposure to Naphthalene. * Eye wash fountains should be provided in the immediate work area for emergency use. * On skin contact with Naphthalene, immediately wash or shower to remove the chemical. At the end of the workshift, wash any areas of the body that may have contacted Naphthalene, whether or not known skin contact has occurred. * Do not eat, smoke, or drink where Naphthalene is handled, processed, or stored, since the chemical can be swallowed. Wash hands carefully before eating or smoking. * Use a vacuum or a wet method to reduce dust during clean-up. Do not dry sweep. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT WORKPLACE CONTROLS ARE BETTER THAN PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. However, for some jobs (such as outside work, confined space entry, jobs done only once in a while, or jobs done while workplace controls are being installed), personal protective equipment may be appropriate. The following recommendations are only guidelines and may not apply to every situation. Clothing * Avoid skin contact with Naphthalene. Wear protective gloves and clothing. Safety equipment suppliers/manufacturers can provide recommendations on the most protective glove/clothing material for your operation. * All protective clothing (suits, gloves, footwear, headgear) should be clean, available each day, and put on before work. Eye Protection * Wear dust-proof goggles and face shield when working with powders or dust, unless full facepiece respiratory protection is worn. * Wear gas-proof goggles and face shield, when working with molten Naphthalene unless full facepiece respiratory protection is worn. Respiratory Protection IMPROPER USE OF RESPIRATORS IS DANGEROUS. Such equipment should only be used if the employer has a written program that takes into account workplace conditions, requirements for worker training, respirator fit testing and medical exams, as described in OSHA 1910.134. * Where the potential exists for exposures over 10 ppm, use a MSHA/NIOSH approved full facepiece respirator with an organic vapor cartridge/canister and a dust prefilter. Increased protection is obtained from full facepiece powered air purifying respirators. * If while wearing a filter, cartridge or canister respirator, you can smell, taste, or otherwise detect Naphthalene, or in the case of a full facepiece respirator you experience eye irritation, leave the area immediately. Check to make sure the respirator-to-face seal is still good. If it is, replace the filter, cartridge, or canister. If the seal is no longer good, you may need a new respirator. * Be sure to consider all potential exposures in your workplace. You may need a combination of filters, prefilters, cartridges, or canisters to protect against different forms of a chemical (such as vapor and mist) or against a mixture of chemicals. * Exposure to 500 ppm is immediately dangerous to life and health. If the possibility of exposures above 500 ppm exists use a MSHA/NIOSH approved self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece operated in continuous flow or other positive pressure mode. HANDLING AND STORAGE * Prior to working with Naphthalene you should be trained on its proper handling and storage. * Naphthalene must be stored to avoid contact with CHROMIUM (III) OXIDE, DINITROGEN PENTOXIDE, and STRONG OXIDIZERS (such as CHLORINE, BROMINE, and FLUORINE) since violent reactions occur. * Store in tightly closed containers in a cool well-ventilated area. * Sources of ignition such as smoking and open flames are prohibited where Naphthalene is used, handled, or stored in a manner that could create a potential fire or explosion hazard. * Metal containers involving the transfer of 5 gallons or more of Naphthalene should be grounded and bonded. Drums must be equipped with self-closing valves, pressure vacuum bungs, and flame arresters. * Liquid Naphthalene must avoid contact with WATER. Common Name: Naphthalene DOT Number: UN 1334/UN 2304 DOT Emergency Guide code: CAS Number: 91-20-3 ----------------------------------------- Hazard rating NFPA FLAMMABILITY 2 REACTIVITY 0 ----------------------------------------- COMBUSTIBLE POISONOUS GAS IS PRODUCED IN FIRE CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE --------------------------------------- Hazard Rating Key: 0=minimal; 1=slight; 2=moderate; 3=serious; 4=severe FIRE HAZARDS * Naphthalene is a combustible solid. * Use dry chemical, CO2, water spray, or foam extinguishers. * POISONOUS GAS IS PRODUCED IN FIRE. * CONTAINERS MAY EXPLODE IN FIRE. * Naphthalene forms explosive mixtures with air. * If employees are expected to fight fires, they must be trained and equipped as stated in OSHA 1910.156. SPILLS AND EMERGENCIES If Naphthalene is spilled or leaked, take the following steps: * Restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill or leak until clean-up is complete. * Remove all ignition sources. * Collect powdered material in the most convenient and safe manner and deposit in sealed containers. * Keep Naphthalene out of a confined space, such as a sewer, because of the possibility of an explosion, unless the sewer is designed to prevent the build-up of explosive concentrations. * It may be necessary to contain and dispose of Naphthalene as a HAZARDOUS WASTE. Contact your Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) or your regional office of the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for specific recommendations. ========================================== FOR LARGE SPILLS AND FIRES immediately call your fire department. ========================================== FIRST AID Eye Contact * Immediately flush with large amounts of water for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Skin Contact * Quickly remove contaminated clothing. Immediately wash contaminated skin with large amounts of soap and water. Breathing * Remove the person from exposure. * Begin rescue breathing if breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. * Transfer promptly to a medical facility. PHYSICAL DATA Vapor Pressure: 0.05 mm Hg at 68oF Flash Point: 174oF Water Solubility: Very slightly soluble Other Names and Formulations: Mothballs; Moth Flakes; Camphor Tar. ------------------------------------------ Not intended to be copied and sold for commercial purposes. ------------------------------------------ NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH Right to Know Program CN 368, Trenton, NJ 08625-0368 ------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------ ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION Naphthalene, the most abundant single constituent of coal tar, is a white crystalline solid with the odor of mothballs. It is used as an intermediate in the production of dye compounds, and in the formulation of solvents, lubricants, and motor fuels. It has also been used directly as a moth repellant, insecticide and veterinary medicine. Naphthalene may enter the environment from industrial or municipal waste treatment plant discharges, or spills. ACUTE (SHORT-TERM) ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS Acute toxic effects may include the death of animals, birds, or fish, and death or low growth rate in plants. Acute effects are seen two to four days after animals or plants come in contact with a toxic chemical substance. Naphthalene has moderate acute toxicity to aquatic life. It has caused injury and death to various agricultural and ornamental crops. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the short-term effects of naphthalene to birds or land animals. CHRONIC (LONG-TERM) ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS Chronic toxic effects may include shortened lifespan, reproductive problems, lower fertility, and changes in appearance or behavior. Chronic effects can be seen long after first exposure(s) to a toxic chemical. Naphthalene has moderate chronic toxicity to aquatic life. Insufficient data are available to evaluate or predict the long- term effects of naphthalene to plants, birds, or land animals. WATER SOLUBILITY Naphthalene is moderately soluble in water. Concentrations of between 1 to 1,000 milligrams will mix with a liter of water. DISTRIBUTION AND PERSISTENCE IN THE ENVIRONMENT Naphthalene is slightly persistent in water, with a half-life of between 2 to 20 days. The half-life of a pollutant is the amount of time it takes for one-half of the chemical to be degraded. About 96% of naphthalene will eventually end up in air; about 3% will end up in water; and about 0.5%, respectively, will end up in terrestrial soils and in aquatic sediments. BIOACCUMULATION IN AQUATIC ORGANISMS Some substances increase in concentration, or bioaccumulate, in living organisms as they breathe contaminated air, drink contaminated water, or eat contaminated food. These chemicals can become concentrated in the tissues and internal organs of animals and humans. The concentration of naphthalene found in fish tissues is expected to be somewhat higher than the average concentration of naphthalene in the water from which the fish was taken. SUPPORT DOCUMENT: AQUIRE Database, ERL-Duluth, U.S. EPA, Phytotox.