US EPA

[Update Jun 2004] This document contains revision of the inhalation cancer assessment and other selected text from the 1998 draft as indicated: Sections of this document pertaining to the inhalation cancer assessment are presented as draft for external peer review purposes only and do not constitute U.S. Environmental Protection Agency policy. These sections are indicated by highlighting. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use. Note to reviewers: Please review the highlighted sections.

EPA is conducting a peer review and public comment of the scientific basis supporting the human health hazard and dose-response assessment of naphthalene that when finalized will appear on the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) database.

Naphthalene (CAS no. 91-20-3) is a bicyclic aromatic hydrocarbon with the chemical formula C10H8 and a molecular weight of 128.16. Pure naphthalene is a white, water-insoluble solid at room temperature with a vapor pressure of 0.087 mmHg (U.S. EPA, 1987; ATSDR,1993). Naphthalene is produced by distillation and fractionation of either petroleum or coal tar. Naphthalene’s principal use is as an intermediate in the production of phthalic anhydride. Phthalic anhydride is important in the manufacture of phthalate plasticizers, resins, dyes as well as insect and animal repellents. Naphthalene is also used in the manufacture of synthetic leather tanning agents and the insecticide carbaryl. Naphthalene has been used as a moth repellent and as a deodorizer for diaper pails and toilets (ATSDR, 1993; U.S. EPA, 1980, 1987).

The purpose of this Toxicological Review is to provide scientific support and rationale for the hazard and dose-response assessment in IRIS pertaining to chronic exposure to naphthalene. It is not intended to be a comprehensive treatise on the chemical or toxicological nature of naphthalene.

This draft has been archived.

U.S. EPA. IRIS Toxicological Review of Naphthalene (2004, External Review Draft, Update). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, NCEA-S-1707, 2004.

EPA is hereby providing for public information a draft Toxicological Review, draft IRIS Summary, and charge to external peer reviewers for EPA's health assessment of naphthalene. These documents are provided for public viewing during an external scientific peer review period. Sections of the documents pertaining to the inhalation carcinogenicity of naphthalene are the subject of the external review. While EPA is not soliciting public comments by this action, any scientific views received on the content of the Toxicological Review or IRIS Summary prior to August 13, 2004 will be considered in subsequent drafts.