Sources, Concentrations and Risks of Naphthalene in Indoor and Outdoor Air

Stuart Batterman; Jo-Yu Chin; Chunrong Jia; Christopher Godwin; Edith Parker; Thomas Robins; Paul Max; Toby Lewis

doi:10.1111/j.1600-0668.2011.00760.x

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Sources, Concentrations and Risks of Naphthalene in Indoor and Outdoor Air

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Sources, Concentrations and Risks of Naphthalene in Indoor and Outdoor Air

Stuart Batterman, Jo-Yu Chin, Chunrong Jia, Christopher Godwin, Edith Parker, Thomas Robins, Paul Max and Toby Lewis

Indoor air, Vol.22(4), pp.266-278

01/11/2012

DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0668.2011.00760.x

PMCID: PMC3307957

PMID: 22145682

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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.

deodorizer

Exposure

indoor air

mothballs

naphthalene

repellent

risk

volatile organic compound (VOC)

Details

Title: Subtitle: Sources, Concentrations and Risks of Naphthalene in Indoor and Outdoor Air
Creators: Stuart Batterman - University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, USA University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA Detroit Department of Health and Wellness Promotion, Detroit, MI, USA
Jo-Yu Chin - University of Michigan
Chunrong Jia - University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, USA University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA Detroit Department of Health and Wellness Promotion, Detroit, MI, USA
Christopher Godwin - University of Michigan
Edith Parker - University of Iowa, Community and Behavioral Health
Thomas Robins - University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, USA University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA Detroit Department of Health and Wellness Promotion, Detroit, MI, USA
Paul Max - University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, USA University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA Detroit Department of Health and Wellness Promotion, Detroit, MI, USA
Toby Lewis - University of Michigan Medical School
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Indoor air, Vol.22(4), pp.266-278
DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0668.2011.00760.x
PMID: 22145682
PMCID: PMC3307957
NLM abbreviation: Indoor Air
ISSN: 0905-6947
eISSN: 1600-0668
Grant note: R01 ES014566-01A1 || ES / National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences : NIEHS
Language: English
Date published: 01/11/2012
Academic Unit: Public Health Administration; Injury Prevention Research Center; Public Policy Center (Archive); Community and Behavioral Health
Record Identifier: 9984214667802771

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