Sources, concentrations, and risks of naphthalene in indoor and outdoor air

Abstract

Naphthalene is a ubiquitous pollutant, and very high concentrations are sometimes encountered indoors when this chemical is used as a pest repellent or deodorant. This study describes the distribution and sources of vapor phase naphthalene concentrations in four communities in southeast Michigan, USA. Outdoors, naphthalene was measured in the communities and at a near-road site. Indoors, naphthalene levels were characterized in 288 suburban and urban homes. The median outdoor concentration was 0.15 µg m−3, and a modest contribution from rush-hour traffic was noted. The median indoor long-term concentration was 0.89 µg m−3, but concentrations were extremely skewed and 14% of homes exceeded 3 µg m−3, the chronic reference concentration for non-cancer effects, 8% exceeded 10 µg m−3, and levels reached 200 µg m−3. The typical individual lifetime cancer risk was about 10−4, and reached 10−2 in some homes. Important sources include naphthalene's use as a pest repellent and deodorant, migration from attached garages, and to lesser extents, cigarette smoke and vehicle emissions. Excessive use as a repellent caused the highest concentrations. Naphthalene presents high risks in a subset of homes, and policies and actions to reduce exposures, e.g., sales bans or restrictions, improved labeling and consumer education, should be considered.

Covalent binding of quinones activates the Ah receptor in Hepa1c1c7 cells

“…These chemicals are also found as contaminants in diesel engine exhaust, burning coal, and cigarette smoke (Wallace, 1989;Batterman et al, 2012).…”

“…A variety of quinones, including 1,4-benzoquinone (1,4-BQ), 1,2-naphthoquinone (1,2-NQ), and 1,4-NQ are found in diesel engine exhaust, burning coal, cigarette smoke (Eiguren-Fernandez et al, 2010;Batterman et al, 2012;Wallace, 1989) and as metabolites during exposure of experimental animals and cultured cells (Wilson et al, 1996). Butylated hydroxyanisol (BHA) and tert-butyl-1, 4-hydroquinone (TBHQ), which are used as a food and cosmetic additive to preserve oils, are metabolized to tertbutyl-1,4-benzoquinone (TBQ) (Verhagen et al, 1989;Snyder and Hedli, 1996).…”

Presença de agrotóxicos na atmosfera e risco à saúde humana: uma discussão para a Vigilância em Saúde Ambiental

“…Much in the same way as these, seven other papers 12,13,15,[20][21][22][23] addressed the issue of air contamination by pesticides from the perspective of environmental sciences (environmental monitoring and risk analysis and assessment), while the methodology for assessing the impact and risk of exposure frequently observed in these studies includes, somehow, analyses of public health interest, such as the estimation of risk or carcinogenic potential related to exposure to pesticides, according to risk assessment methodologies proposed by international agencies of the environmental or health sector, such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) and the World Health Organization (WHO). • 28 papers…”

Environmental Health Education for Teachers: Results of Pre- and Post-surveys from a Pilot Study Addressing Chemical Use Reduction and Integrated Pest Management in Homes

“…These include harsh pesticides, as described above, cleaning products, burning candles, new building materials that off gas, fragrances, and other cosmetic products [20]. There are some specific chemicals that are of greater concern in the indoor environment and these include naphthalene, formaldehyde, a variety of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and aldehydes [21][22][23][24][25]. These chemicals can be irritants (including triggers for asthma), carcinogens, and endocrine disruptors [20,26].…”

“…These chemicals can be irritants (including triggers for asthma), carcinogens, and endocrine disruptors [20,26]. Naphthalene, for example, is found in pest repellants, deodorant, cigarette smoke, and vehicle emissions from attached garages [23]. Cleaning habits and product usage varies among families and across demographics [19,26] but they call for caution in their use.…”