Hexachloronaphthalene

Synonyms

Halowax 1014; [NIOSH]

Category

Halowaxes

Description

White to light-yellow solid with an aromatic odor; [NIOSH]

Sources/Uses

Used as additives to lubricants and cable insulation (fire retardants); [ACGIH]

Comments

Chlorinated naphthalenes may be absorbed through the skin. They cause fatal liver injury in animals in subchronic inhalation studies. Penta- and hexachloronaphthalene may cause in exposed workers acne-like lesions that itch severely. Tri-, tetra-, and octachloronaphthalene are non-acnegenic under the conditions of industrial use. Nine occupational fatalities from chlorinated naphthalene poisoning have been reported. Most cases of intoxication among cable workers, assemblers, and laborers involve either penta- or hexachloronaphthalene. A nonfatal case of toxic hepatitis was reported in an 18 year old female who was soldering electrical condensers. [ACGIH] Acne-form dermatitis is listed as an adverse effect for all of the halowaxes except trichloronaphthalene in the NIOSH Pocket Guide.

Reference Link #1

Biomedical References

Yes

Yes

0.2 mg/m3

0.2 mg/m3

2 mg/m3

Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs

Animal data: Repeated exposure of rats to 8.9 mg/m3 of a mixture of hexachloronaphthalene and pentachloronaphthalene for up to 4.5 months produced jaundice and was fatal; minor liver injury still occurred at 1.16 mg/m3 [Drinker et al. 1937]. Hexachloronaphthalene has been shown to be more toxic than pentachloronaphthalene in ingestion studies with calves [Bell 1958]. Total doses of hexachloronaphthalene ranging from 5 to 23 mg/kg were given orally in mineral oil over 10 days and lacrimation, salivation, nasal discharge, depression, and anorexia occurred by the 5th day [Bell 1958]. \ Human data: It has been reported that fatal cases of hepatic injury have occurred from chronic exposures in a plant where air concentrations of mixed pentachloronaphthalenes and hexachloronaphthalenes ranged from 1 to 2 mg/m3 [Elkins 1959].

3.3E-06 mm Hg

Explanatory Notes

VP from HSDB;

Occupational hepatotoxin (principal effect)

Chloracne

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Chloracne
• Hepatitis, chemical