Naphthalene: Where the toxic substance occurs

Naphthalene is a colorless substance that surrounds us in everyday life as a component of certain products and gases. Here you can find out what makes the substance problematic for your health and how to avoid it.

What is naphthalene?

Naphthalene is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAK for short). This is the name for certain chemical compounds made up of carbon and hydrogen atoms. Like other PAHs, naphthalene is the end product of combustion processes.

It occurs naturally in small quantities in natural burns of organic materials. Higher amounts of PAHs arise in particular in the production of oil. Cigarette smoke and car exhaust also contain naphthalene.

Naphthalene is deliberately further processed synthetically in industry and can then be used in different ways. According to the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) for example component from:

• Plastics
• Colorants (carbon blacks for blackening)
• Tar oil
• Fuel for aircraft
• Insecticides (for example moth powders)
• Plasticizers

Some of them are also found in Cosmetic products Traces of naphthalene. This happens due to impurities that arise during manufacture. According to the EU Cosmetics Regulation It is forbidden to sell cosmetic products containing naphthalene. Smaller quantities are only allowed if manufacturers can prove through a safety assessment that they do not have any harmful effects on health.

How harmful is naphthalene?

Naphthalene can quickly enter our organism via our respiratory organs or the skin. How exactly it works there has not yet been scientifically clarified. However, there are various studies that indicate the harmful effects of PAHs.

According to the BfR, napthalene can promote inflammation and damage to the upper respiratory tract. This is especially the case when we inhale the substance at regular intervals. This can easily happen when we are surrounded by car exhaust, naphthalene-rich plastic products, or soot residue on black-colored products.

If the inflammation becomes chronic, i.e. keeps recurring or never heals properly, this can promote the development of tumors. A Investigation of a US research team also shows that naphthalene can cause genetic damage in children. These in turn increase the risk of developing leukemia in adulthood.

Naphthalene is according to one EU regulation therefore classified in the “Suspected of causing cancer” category. It is also considered to be “harmful if swallowed”. According to the BfR, however, the carcinogenic effect of naphthalene is somewhat lower than that of other PAHs.

How to Avoid Naphthalene

It is difficult for us to avoid ingesting naphthalene and other PAHs on a daily basis. In order to keep the amount of harmful substances as low as possible, however, you can observe a few tips:

• Naphthalene is colorless and therefore not easy to recognize. However, its pungent odor is typical. Products that emit such a tar-like odor probably contain plasticizers or plastics rich in naphthalene. You should avoid these and especially keep them away from children. You can get tips and information for non-toxic children’s toys here: Fair & healthy children’s toys: you can pay attention to this
• Naphthalene-based moth powders are not only harmful to health – their effectiveness against insects is also questionable. Glue traps, on the other hand, help against moths in clothing. In addition, you should store your clothes in the freezer for a few weeks. The pests die from the cold.
• To combat moths in food, you should dispose of infected products and wipe the cupboards with vinegar water. Also so-called Parasitic wasps fight moths naturally. You can find more tips on prevention and the fight against insects here: Tips for a moth-free home
• In this article we will show you other methods with which you can avoid PAHs in everyday life as well as possible: Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons: Where PAHs Occur and What Problems They Cause

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