The naphthalene is the naphthalene which is used to disinfect and to fight moths . The term comes from the French word naphtaline. It is called naphthalene, on the other hand, hydrocarbon aromatic resulting from the condensation of a pair of benzene rings.
Usually naphthalene is obtained from coal tar . However, it is also possible to achieve it during the refining of the Petroleum and through other processes.
The most common mechanism is to distill coal tar to achieve an oil with about 50% naphthalene. Saying oil It is then washed and distilled in order to produce the isolation of the crude naphthalene.
Of characteristic odor, naphthalene is usually marketed as small white balls . This product, which should not be handled directly due to its toxicity, is for domestic use as a moth repellent, insects They usually attack different types of tissues.
Beyond its usefulness, it is important to keep in mind that naphthalene, being toxic , can cause serious damage to the Health . When a person is poisoned with naphthalene, the substance affects their red blood cells, which become unable to transport oxygen. This, in turn, can cause damage to the organs.
Pain in the abdomen area, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and respiratory difficulties are some of the symptoms of poisoning with naphthalene, which may also include drowsiness, confusion and tachycardia. In those cases, it is necessary to go to a hospital urgently
It should be noted that the naphthalene smell it is associated with what it smells old or old . This is due to habit , very common decades ago, of placing naphthalene in the cabinets to protect clothing that was not used frequently. That is why today, if it is claimed that something smells like mothballs, it is being indicated as ancient or archaic.
