Tetrachloronaphthalene

Synonyms

Halowax; Nibren wax; Seekay wax; [NIOSH]

Category

Halowaxes

Description

Colorless to pale-yellow solid with an aromatic odor; [NIOSH]

Sources/Uses

"There are no known commercial uses for purified individual isomers of di-, tri-, tetra-, penta-, hexa-, or heptachloronaphthalene." [HSDB]

Comments

Chlorinated naphthalenes may be absorbed through the skin. They cause liver injury and hyperkeratosis in experimental animals. 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. May cause liver injury; [ICSC]

Reference Link #1

Biomedical References

Insufficient data

Yes

2 mg/m3

2 mg/m3

Excerpts from Documentation for IDLHs

Animal data: It has been stated that tetrachloronaphthalene has been shown to be less toxic to the liver than more highly chlorinated derivatives of naphthalene [ACGIH 1986]. . . . Basis for revised IDLH: Due to a lack of relevant acute toxicity data, the IDLH for tetrachloronaphthalene remains "Unknown."

1E-06 mm Hg

Explanatory Notes

Flash point = 210 deg C;

Occupational hepatotoxin (principal effect)

Chloracne

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

• Chloracne
• Hepatitis, chemical