Chemical of the Week Part 2 - Napthalene

Chemical of the Week – Part 2

 

Hazard Profile

Chemical Name and Pseudonyms

Napthalene, Par camphor, White tar, 91-20-3

UN Number

1334 (crude or refined), 2304 (molten)

Chemical Formula

C10H8

Hazards

Toxic, flammable solid that may cause cancer

PPE Considerations

SFPC with SCBA

Fire Fighting Considerations

Water, CO 2, dry chemical, ATC AFFF

Decontamination

Ventilation, soap and water, flooding water flushing

Detection and Monitoring

Colormetric, electrochemical sensor, PID IP = 8.12 ev, spectroscopy

Chemical and Physical Properties

Physical State

Colorless to brown solid with mothball like odor

Vapor Pressure

~.08 mmHg

Boiling Point

~424oF

Vapor Density

~4.4

Specific Gravity

~1.15

Miscibility

Insoluble in water

Flash Point

174oF

LEL/UEL

.9% / 5.9%

Autoignition Temp

978oF

pH

-

Toxicity

IDLH

250 ppm

PEL/REL/STEL

10 ppm/10 ppm/15 ppm

LD50

~1100 mg/kg

LC50

~.4 mg/l

Radioactive (Yes/No)

No

Medical

Toxicological Considerations

Toxic by all routes. 

Signs/Symptoms of Exposure

Respiratory symptoms, skin and eye irritation and burns, eye damage, chest tightness, CNS

N & V

Medical Treatment

Fresh air and treat symptomatically, flush areas of contact with copious amounts of water

Other Information

Incompatible with oxidizers

Chemical Structure