Naphthalene Balls (powdered form) when
observed under the foldscope it looked like tiny crystal. Naphthalene is made from crude oil or coal tar. It is also produced when things burn, so naphthalene is found in cigrate smoke, car exhaust and smoke from forest fires. It is used as an insecticide and a pest repellent. Naphthalene was first registered as a pesticide in the United States in 1948.

How does naphthalene work??
When naphthalene gas is inhaled , the body breaks it down into other chemicals that react with the cells in the body and damage the tissue. How naphthalene kills moth is not understood. The odor is thought to be unpleasant enough to drive the animals away in repellent products .

What are the some signs and symptoms from the brief exposure to naphthalene??
People have developed headache, nausea, dizziness and / or vomiting after being exposed to naphthalene vapours. If someone breathes in enough of the vapour or eats the moth ball containing naphthalene , they might develop hemolytic anemia. This is when red blood cells break apart, and no longer carry oxygen the way they should. Small childrens have also developed diarrhoea, fever, abdominal pain and painful urination with discolored urine after eating naphthalene moth balls. Dogs that have eaten naphthalene moth balls may have lethargy , diarrhoea, vomiting , lack of appetite and tremors.
Clothing that was stored in moth balls without being washed afterwards has caused anemia in infants who wore the clothing , diapers or blankets . People with an inherited enzyme deficiency are at much greater risk of anemia than people with normal enzyme levels.

What happens to naphthalene when it enters the body??
In humans , naphthalene is broken down to alpha -naphthol, which is linked to the development of haemolytic anemia. Kidney and liver damage may also occur. Alpha - naphthol and other metabolite's are excreted through urine .
In animals, naphthalene break down into other compounds including Alpha - naphthol which may affect the lungs and eyes.

What happens to naphthalene in the environment?

Most naphthalene in the environment will turn into a gas. Some of it may be bound to soil, where it can be taken up by plants. It can also be deposited on plant leaves from the air. Naphthalene is broken down by bacteria, fungi, air, and sunlight. Naphthalene has been found in wastewater treatment plant discharge. No information was found on naphthalene and groundwater. The half-life of naphthalene in the environment may range from less than one day in air to over 80 days in soil

Name: Bharthi kumari