This report considers the sources of environmental contamination from naphthylamines. Because beta-naphthylamine is a proven human carcinogen and there are other alternatives to its use, it is no longer produced and consumed commercially in the United States. However, alpha-naphthylamine, which is a suspected carcinogen, is still manufactured for use as a chemical intermediate for dyes and herbicides. Thus, this report concentrates on the commercial production and use of alpha-naphthylamine. Standards established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration have controlled the occupational exposure to alpha-naphthylamine and have also had an impact on reducing contamination of the external environment. The OSHA regulations, along with current industry practices, appear to have eliminated the release of alpha-naphthylamine to the external environment. However, firm conclusions on the potential release of alpha-naphthylamine from its uses as a chemical intermediate require effluent monitoring data that is unavailable at this time. Further, it is possible that an alpha-naphthylamine-derived compound could be released to the environment and then degrade to alpha-naphthylamine. At least two possible sources of this type of contamination seem possible.

"EPA 560/6-77-002." Prepared by Syracuse Research Corp., Center for Chemical Hazard Assessment, Syracuse N.Y., under contract no. 68-01-3224, task I, SCR no. L1273-06. "Prepared for: Office of Toxic Substances, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C. 20460." Issued March 1976. Includes bibliographical references (pages 93-95).