Editing Naphthalene (section)

== Health effects ==
{{Main|Naphthalene poisoning}}
Exposure to large amounts of naphthalene may damage or destroy [[red blood cell]]s, most commonly in people with the inherited condition known as [[glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency|glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency]],<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Santucci K, Shah B | date = Jan 2000 | title = Association of naphthalene with acute hemolytic anemia | journal = Acad Emerg Med | volume = 7 | issue = 1| pages = 42–7 | pmid = 10894241 | doi = 10.1111/j.1553-2712.2000.tb01889.x | doi-access = free }}</ref> from which approximately 400 million people suffer.<ref name=GHR2017>{{cite web|title=Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency|url=https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase-deficiency|website=Genetics Home Reference|access-date=10 December 2017|language=en|date=6 December 2017}}</ref> Humans, in particular children, have developed the condition known as [[hemolytic anemia]], after ingesting mothballs or deodorant blocks containing naphthalene. Symptoms include [[Fatigue (medical)|fatigue]], lack of appetite, restlessness, and pale skin. Exposure to large amounts of naphthalene may cause [[confusion]], [[nausea]], [[vomiting]], [[diarrhea]], [[blood]] in the [[urine]], and [[jaundice]] (yellow coloration of the skin due to dysfunction of the [[liver]]).<ref>{{MedlinePlusEncyclopedia|002477|Naphthalene poisoning}}</ref>

The US [[National Toxicology Program]] (NTP) held an experiment where male and female rats and mice were exposed to naphthalene vapors on weekdays for two years.<ref>{{cite web|title=NTP Technical Reports 410 and 500 |work=NTP Technical Reports 410 and 500, available from NTP: Long-Term Abstracts & Reports |url=https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/results/pubs/list/index.html?type=Technical+Report |access-date=March 6, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041024180431/http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/index.cfm?objectid=0847DDA0-F261-59BF-FAA04EB1EC032B61 |archive-date=October 24, 2004 }}</ref> Both male and female rats exhibited evidence of [[carcinogenic|carcinogenesis]] with increased incidences of [[adenoma]] and [[neuroblastoma]] of the nose. Female mice exhibited some evidence of carcinogenesis based on increased incidences of [[Pulmonary alveolus|alveolar]] and [[Bronchiole|bronchiolar]] [[adenoma]]s of the [[lung]], while male mice exhibited no evidence of carcinogenesis.

The [[International Agency for Research on Cancer]] (IARC)<ref>{{cite book | title=IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans | work=Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans, Some Traditional Herbal Medicines, Some Mycotoxins, Naphthalene and Styrene, Vol. 82 (2002) (p. 367)| date=2002| publisher=World Health Organization| url=http://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Monographs/vol82/index.php | access-date=December 25, 2008| isbn=978-92-832-1282-9}}</ref> classifies naphthalene as possibly carcinogenic to humans and animals ([[List of IARC Group 2B carcinogens|Group 2B]]). The IARC also points out that acute exposure causes [[cataract]]s in humans, [[rat]]s, [[rabbit]]s, and [[Mouse|mice]]; and that hemolytic anemia (described above) can occur in children and infants after oral or inhalation exposure or after maternal exposure during pregnancy. A probable mechanism for the carcinogenic effects of mothballs and some types of air fresheners containing naphthalene has been identified.<ref>[http://www.physorg.com/news70042017.html "Scientists May Have Solved Mystery Of Carcinogenic Mothballs"], ''Physorg.com'', June 20, 2006.</ref><ref name=EHANS>{{cite web|title=Mothballs, air fresheners and cancer|url=http://www.environmentalhealth.ca/mothballsairfresh.htm|work=Environmental Health Association of Nova Scotia|access-date=24 May 2013}}</ref>

=== Regulation ===
[[Federal government of the United States|US government]] agencies have set [[occupational exposure limit]]s to naphthalene exposure. The [[Occupational Safety and Health Administration]] has set a [[permissible exposure limit]] at 10 ppm (50&nbsp;mg/m<sup>3</sup>) over an eight-hour time-weighted average. The [[National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health]] has set a [[recommended exposure limit]] at 10 ppm (50&nbsp;mg/m<sup>3</sup>) over an eight-hour time-weighted average, as well as a [[short-term exposure limit]] at 15 ppm (75&nbsp;mg/m<sup>3</sup>).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgd0439.html|title=CDC - NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards - Naphthalene|website=Cdc.gov|access-date=6 March 2022}}</ref> Naphthalene's minimum odor threshold is 0.084 ppm for humans.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-09/documents/naphthalene.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161014111640/https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-09/documents/naphthalene.pdf |archive-date=2016-10-14 |url-status=live|title=Naphthalene|website=Epa.gov|access-date=6 March 2022}}</ref>

Mothballs and other products containing naphthalene have been banned within the [[European Union|EU]] since 2008.<ref name=Alderson>{{cite news|last=Alderson|first=Andrew|title=Holy straight bananas – now the Eurocrats are banning moth balls|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/3463893/Holy-straight-bananas-now-the-Eurocrats-are-banning-moth-balls.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/3463893/Holy-straight-bananas-now-the-Eurocrats-are-banning-moth-balls.html |archive-date=2022-01-12 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=2013-11-23|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=15 Nov 2008}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name=Gray>{{cite news|last=Gray|first=Kerrina|title=Council warned against use of poisonous moth balls|url=http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/10813745.Council_warns_against_use_of_poisonous_mothballs/|work=Your Local Guardian|publisher=Newsquest (London) Ltd.|access-date=2012-11-23|date=17 November 2013}}</ref>

In [[China]], the use of naphthalene in mothballs is forbidden.<ref>{{citation | title=<span lang="zh">国务院经贸办、卫生部关于停止生产和销售萘丸提倡使用樟脑制品的通知（国经贸调（1993）64号）</span>}}</ref> Danger to human health and the common use of natural [[camphor]] are cited as reasons for the ban.