Why Is This Important?

Naphthalene has been used as a household fumigant, such as in mothballs or moth flakes. Large amounts of naphthalene are used as a chemical intermediate to produce other chemicals. Exposure to naphthalene happens mostly from breathing air contaminated from the burning of wood, tobacco, or fossil fuels, industrial discharges, or moth repellents. Exposure to high levels of naphthalene may damage or destroy red blood cells. Children and adults have developed this condition, known as hemolytic anemia, after ingesting mothballs or deodorant blocks containing naphthalene. Symptoms include fatigue, lack of appetite, nausea, restlessness, and pale skin. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies naphthalene as possibly carcinogenic to humans.

Definition

Mean of modeled annual average naphthalene concentration for a county

Data Sources

• USEPA Air Toxics Screening Assessment and NJDEP Division of Air Quality
  (https://www.epa.gov/AirToxScreen)
• Air Toxics Screening Assessment, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
  (https://www.epa.gov/AirToxScreen)

How the Measure is Calculated

How Are We Doing?

Most New Jersey counties exceed the health benchmark of 0.029 micrograms of naphthalene per cubic meter of air. The highest ambient air concentrations can be found in Bergen, Essex and Hudson Counties.

What Is Being Done?

Industrial facilities that emit this chemical must obtain permits from the NJDEP Air Program and are also subject to state and federal air pollution control technology requirements.

Available Services

To view select air quality data collected at outdoor monitors across the United States go to: [http://www.epa.gov/airdata]

More Resources

The USEPA Integrated Risk Information System provides more detailed information about naphthalene and research studies on its health effects. [https://iris.epa.gov/ChemicalLanding/&substance_nmbr=436] Information on New Jersey Air Toxics and associated health benchmarks can be found at: [https://dep.nj.gov/airplanning/airtoxics/] Pollution Prevention and Community Right to Know: [http://web.doh.state.nj.us/rtkhsfs/factsheets.aspx] NJDEP "What's in My Community?" mapping application: [https://njdep.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=76194937cbbe46b1ab9a9ec37c7d709b] On the map you will find every facility with an air permit registered with the Division of Air Quality at the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.