Chemical Properties
Colorless to pale-yellow solid; aromatic
odor. Insoluble in water.
Uses
Electrical insulating materials; in resins and
polymers for coating textiles, wood, and paper;
additive in cutting oils.
General Description
Colorless to pale-yellow solid with an intense aromatic odor. Melting Point :182 C. Presents an environmental danger. Used in lubricants and in the manufacture of insulation for electrical wire. If released into the environment, bioaccumulation takes place in fish. Will persist in the environment causing long-term adverse effects. The halowaxes are technical-grade chlorinated naphthalenes containing tetrachloronaphthalene in its various isomers together with (mainly) trichloro- pentachloro- and hexa-chloronapthalenes in their various isomers.
Reactivity Profile
tetrachloronaphthalene is non-flammable, but combustible. Gives off irritating or toxic gases in a fire. Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents. Reacts violently with aluminum, with bases, and with liquid O2.
Hazard
Combustible. Toxic by inhalation and skin
contact. Liver damage.
Potential Exposure
Industrial exposure from individual
chlorinated naphthalenes is rarely encountered; rather it
usually occurs from mixtures of two or more Chlorinated
naphthalenes. Due to their stability, thermoplasticity, and
nonflammability, these compounds enjoy wide industrial
application. These compounds are used in the production of
electric condensers; in the insulation of electric cables and
wires; as additives to extreme pressure lubricants; as supports for storage batteries; and as a coating in foundry use.
octachloro-: Used as a fireproof and waterproof additive
and lubricant additive. Pentachloro-: Used in electric wire
insulation and in additives to special lubricants. tetrachloro-: Used in electrical insulating materials and as an
additive in cutting oils. trichloro-: Used in lubricants and
in the manufacture of insulation for electrical wire.
Because of the possible potentiation of the toxicity of higher Chlorinated naphthalenes by ethanol and carbon tetrachloride, individuals who ingest enough alcohol to result in
liver dysfunction would be a special group at risk.
Individuals, e.g., analytical and synthetic chemists, mechanics and cleaners, who are routinely exposed to carbon tetrachloride or other hepatotoxic chemicals would also be at a
greater risk than a population without such exposure.
Individuals involved in the manufacture, utilization, or disposal of polychlorinated naphthalenes would be expected to
have higher levels of exposure than the general population.
First aid
If this chemical gets into the eyes, remove any
contact lenses at once and irrigate immediately for at least
15 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek
medical attention immediately. If this chemical contacts the
skin, remove contaminated clothing and wash immediately
with soap and water. Seek medical attention immediately.
If this chemical has been inhaled, remove from exposure,
begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions, including resuscitation mask) if breathing has stopped and CPR if
heart action has stopped. Transfer promptly to a medical
facility. When this chemical has been swallowed, get medical attention. Give large quantities of water and induce
vomiting. Do not make an unconscious person vomit.
Shipping
UN3082 Environmentally hazardous substances,
liquid, n.o.s., Hazard class: 9; Labels: 9-Miscellaneous hazardous material, Technical Name Required.
Incompatibilities
All are incompatible with oxidizers
(chlorates, nitrates, peroxides, permanganates, perchlorates,
chlorine, bromine, fluorine, etc.); contact may cause fires
or explosions. Keep away from alkaline materials, strong
bases, strong acids, oxoacids, epoxides. Keep away from
heat. Penta- is also incompatible with acids, alkalis.
Waste Disposal
High-temperature incineration
with flue gas scrubbing. Incineration, preferably after mixing with another combustible fuel. Care must be exercised
to assure complete combustion to prevent the formation of
phosgene. An acid scrubber is necessary to remove the halo
acids produced.
Health Hazard
Tetrachloronaphthalene may
cause liver injury.
Experiments on human volunteers showed
tetrachloronaphthalene to be nonacneigenic as
opposed to the penta- and hexachloro-derivatives
that produce very severe chloracne.
Carcinogenicity
Tetrachloronaphthalene was not mutagenic
in the Salmonella Ames test.
