Chlorinated naphthalenes toxicity

The toxicity of chloronaphthalenes requires that special attention and caution be used during their manufacture and use acne is the most common result of excessive skin exposure to them and the most frequendy affected areas are the face and neck (16). Liver damage has occurred in workers who have been exposed repeatedly to vapors, particulady to those of penta- and hexachloronaphthalene [1335-87-1] (17,18). Uses for the chlorinated naphthalenes include solvents, gauge and instmment duids, capacitor impregnants, components in electric insulating compounds, and electroplating stop-off compounds. 

In earlier editions of the Eniyclopedia there have been articles covering the properties, manufacture, capacities, etc, of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), chlorinated naphthalenes, benzene hexachloride, and chlorinated derivatives of cyclopentadiene. These materials are no longer in commercial use because of their toxicity. However, they stiU impact on the chemical industry because of residual environmental problems. Their toxicity and environmental impact are discussed (see Cm.OROCARBONSANDCm.OROHYDROCARBONS, TOXIC aromatics). 

Some studies of occupationally exposed groups have revealed evidence of liver injury by serum enzyme studies or other liver function tests. Adverse effect and dose-effect relationships have not been consistent within and between studies, raising the possibility that other factors (e.g., alcohol intake, other exposures) could be responsible. Review of these studies indicates that some liver effects may have occurred with repeated exposures at concentrations below O.lmg/m assuming RGBs were responsible. Several deaths due to toxic hepatitis have been reported among workers exposed to mixtures of RGBs with chlorinated naphthalenes such effects have not been observed with PGB exposure alone. ... 

Ward EM, Ruder AM, Suruda A, Smith AB, Fessler-Flesch CA, Zahm SH Acute and chronic liver toxicity resulting from exposure to chlorinated naphthalenes at a cable manu-... 

There is no information on systemic effects in humans. In animals, systemic toxicity from chlorinated naphthalenes appears to be limited to liver injury characterized as acute yellow atrophy. In general the tri- to hexa-chlorinated range shows the highest toxicity, with octachlorinated naphthalene significantly less toxic than the others, presumably reflecting poor uptake of octachloronaphthalene by organisms. ... 

Industrial exposure to tricbloronaphthalene (usually mixed with tetrachloronaphtha-lene) has been relatively free of untoward effects compared witb tbe more bigbly chlorinated naphthalenes. No fatal cases of liver injury have been reported, but one instance of toxic hepatitis supposedly resulted from exposure to 3mg/m Altbougb there are several reports of chloracne from exposure to tricbloronaphthalene, they do not stand up well to critical analysis. Experiments on human volunteers showed that the mist was entirely nonacneigenic as opposed to the penta- and hexachloro derivatives, which produce severe chloracne. ... 

The higher-chlorinated naphthalenes show a much greater toxicity. ... 

Kover FD (1975) Environmental hazard assessment report chlorinated naphthalenes. EPA-560/8-75-001. US EPA, Office of Toxic Substances, Washington, DC... 

In their acute toxic effects on the skin and liver PCBs resemble the chlorinated naphthalenes. Acute yellow atrophy is produced in the liver and enhanced in the presence of CHClj (synergism). Toxicity increases with increase in chlorine content of the PCB, and with oxide formation. Skin lesions (chloracne) consist of small pimples and dark pigmentation of exposed areas. Later comedones and pustules develop. With systemic intoxication, progressive symptoms are nausea, vomiting, weight loss, jaundice, edema, abdominal pain, and, where liver damage is severe, it is followed by coma and death (Sax, 3d ed., p. 551). 

Toxicity Chronic exposure to chlorinated naphthalenes causes chloracne, erythematous eruptions with pustules, and papules. Symptoms of poisoning by chlorinated naphthalenes include headache, fatigue, vertigo, and anorexia. The chemicals are also known to cause liver damage and jaundice. Workers using proper protective clothing should avoid skin contact. Use of face masks and respirators in work areas is advised.124... 

Chlorinated Hydrocarbons Other Chlorinated Compounds. The substitution of chlorine atom for hydrogen in a compd greatly increases the anesthetic action of the derivative. In addn, the chlorine deriv is less specific than the parent hydrocarbon in its action, and may affect other tissues along with those of the central nervous system of this body. The chlorine deriv is generally quite toxic and may cause liver, heart Sc kidney damage. As a rule, unsaturated chlorine derivs are highly narcotic but less toxic than saturated derivs. Sax(Ref 4) has discussed in detail the toxicities Sc hazards of a number of chlorinated compds, including Chlorinated Diphenyls Chlorinated Hydrocarbons, Aromatic Aliphatic Chlorinated Naphthalenes Chlorinated Phenols Chlorinated Triphenyls others. 

SAFETY PROFILE Questionable carcinogens that can cause tumors of the liver. Severe irritants by ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact. The action of the chlorinated naphthalenes on the body is quite similar to that of the chlorinated biphenyls, the chief effects being the production of chloracne of the skin, and systemically an acute yellow atrophy of the liver. When heated to decomposition they emit toxic fumes of CT. 

SAFETY PROFILE Poison by ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact. An irritant. Action similar to that of chlorinated naphthalenes and chlorinated diphenyls. Dangerous when heated to decomposition it emits highly toxic fumes of Cl". See also CHLORINATED HYDROCARBONS, AROMATIC. 

Like the chlorinated naphthalenes, the chlorinated diphenyls have two distinct actions on the body, namely, a skin effect and a toxic action on the liver. This hepato-toxic action of the chlorinated diphenyls appears to be increased if there is exposure to carbon tetrachloride at the same time. 

SAFETY PROFILE A poison. The chlorinated naphthalenes have toxic effects on the skin and liver. See also CHLORINATED HYDROCARBONS, ALIPHATIC and POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS. 

Monohalogenated Benzenes and Naphthalenes Trends in aromatic toxicities (Table IV) are somewhat obscured in these two series by the toxicities of the individual substituents (2). Fluorine and chlorine substituents are reasonably inert however, the bromine and iodine atoms, particularly the latter, are extremely toxic. In the case of inert substituents (F, Cl) the results resemble those of the alkylbenzenes in terms of steric hindrance to adsorption. 

Mefhylation or chlorination of naphthalene at the 1- or 2-position should decrease toxicity by preventing epoxidation... 

Many toxic substances, environmental pollutants, and hazardous waste compounds, such as benzene, toluene, naphthalene, and chlorinated phenols, are aromatic compounds (see Figure 1.14). 

PCNs are a group of compounds with similar physical chemical properties to PCBs [65]. They contain one to eight chlorine atoms per naphthalene molecule and form a complex mixture of 75 congeners. They were produced before PCBs but were replaced by the latter compounds after incidents of worker-related toxicity [66]. Although the use of PCNs has declined in the past few decades, they are not prohibited in most countries and stiU occur in many PCB-like applications such as capacitor fluids, engine oil additives and electrical insulators [67]. 

Chlorinated white tar). C1QH2C16 mw 334.82. Crystals prepd by chlorination of naphthalene (Ref 2, 185). This compd is highly toxic (Ref 3). It was proposed as an addition (4—5%) to explosives containing large amounts of NaNC>3 together with NG, sawdust, etc. It is supposed to act as a sensitizer in these mixtures Refs 1) Beil, not found 2) J.W. Dawson ... 

One use of the electron affinities of molecules is to predict the sensitivity and temperature dependence of the ECD to compounds that might be analyzed. Many environmental pollutants have different multiple substituents. Pesticides are highly chlorinated organic compounds. The chlorinated biphenyls, naphthalenes, and dioxanes are among the most toxic compounds. The temperature dependence of these compounds in the ECD is important, but has not been extensively studied. When the electron affinities and bond dissociation energies are known, the temperature dependence can be calculated from the kinetic model. This is done for the chlorinated biphenyls and naphthalenes, and the calculated temperature dependence is then compared with experiment. These calculations offer clues about the best conditions for analysis. 

Mothproofing Treatments In the past, wool and other keratin fibers were protected from attack by moth larvae through use of mothballs (naphthalene or Q-dichlOrobenzene) or chlorinated insecticides. In recent years, the chlorinated insecticides used have been banned, and less toxic organic insecticides have been developed for use on wool. 

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