Chemical of the Week Part 2 - Napthalene

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

~424^oF

Vapor Density

~4.4

Specific Gravity

~1.15

Miscibility

Insoluble in water

Flash Point

174^oF

LEL/UEL

.9% / 5.9%

Autoignition Temp

978^oF

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