Characterizing naphthalene via material flow analysis

An Environmental Protection Agency-funded project centers on the material flow analysis of naphthalene-containing products in an effort to eliminate, reduce, or replace the sources of naphthalene. The analysis commences with manufacturers who use naphthalene-containing products in their processes. Also, the analysis works in reverse by starting with the naphthalene user, as the material will be traced to the source in an effort to identify elimination/reduction opportunities throughout the material's life cycle. A particular focus is the potential for removal of naphthalene from the primary processor's raw material. A completed material flow accounting of naphthalene in the United States is the product of this work. The paper highlights the preliminary part of the study. It identifies the basic characteristics of naphthalene as one of the largest polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons that is released to the environment. Included are likely sources of naphthalene emissions and releases as they are identified for further investigation.