EPA TRI Chemical
Naphthalene
CAS Number: 91-20-3
- Total releases
- 13.8M lbs
- Number of facilities
- 1,681
- Carcinogen
- Yes
- PBT substance
- No
According to the EPA Toxics Release Inventory, Naphthalene (CAS 91-20-3) is disclosed by 1,681 Form R facilities totaling 13.8M lbs of reported releases. The TRI extract marks this chemical with a carcinogen classification flag. TRI pounds are self-reported disclosure totals, not a measured public-health risk score.
Naphthalene (CAS 91-20-3) is a chemical tracked by the EPA Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) program under Section 313 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act. The TRI requires industrial facilities above specified threshold quantities to disclose annual manufacturing, processing, and otherwise-used volumes, along with quantities released to air, water, land, and off-site transfers.
The carcinogen flag above reflects an assessment from EPA, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, or the National Toxicology Program, not a TRI-specific determination. The largest individual disclosure in the current dataset comes from CLEAN HARBORS BUTTONWILLOW LLC in CA at 2.0M lbs.
TRI volumes are self-reported estimates, not measured stack emissions, and each pound counts equally regardless of chemical toxicity, so total pounds should not be equated with total risk. Inclusion of a chemical or facility in the TRI does not itself establish a health hazard; it documents the public right-to-know record. Consult EPA's IRIS (Integrated Risk Information System) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry for health-effect summaries.
MIXED pathway mix
Naphthalene: how the 13.8M lbs splits
13.8M lbs across all reported pathways
- Air Releases5.7M lbs41.4%
- Land Disposal5.3M lbs38.1%
- Off-site Transfers2.8M lbs20.1%
- Water Discharges59.3K lbs0.4%
Naphthalene's 13.8M lbs Form-R total is MIXED, with air releases making up 41.4% of the bar. Next segment: land disposal at 38.1%.
Trend & Where It's Reported
Between 2019 and 2023, cumulative annual Naphthalene releases across all reporting facilities decreased by 27% (2.7M lbs → 2.0M lbs). Year-to-year swings reflect facility openings/closures and reporting changes as much as underlying activity.
Reporting for Naphthalene is dispersed: California accounts for 21.5% of the reported total (99 facilities). Next: Texas.
- California 3.0M lbs
- Texas 2.9M lbs
- Alaska 1.1M lbs
- West Virginia 953.8K lbs
- Kentucky 737.7K lbs
Reporting for Naphthalene is concentrated by industry: Hazardous Waste facilities account for 31.6% of the reported total (26 facilities). Next: Petroleum.
- Hazardous Waste 4.4M lbs
- Petroleum 2.2M lbs
- Primary Metals 1.8M lbs
- Chemicals 1.8M lbs
- Food 1.4M lbs
Which facilities release the most of this chemical?
Facilities with the largest reported releases of Naphthalene. Up to 50 shown.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Naphthalene in the EPA TRI? ▼
How much Naphthalene is disclosed in U.S. TRI filings? ▼
How does EPA TRI classify Naphthalene? ▼
Which facilities disclose the most Naphthalene? ▼
What is the CAS number for Naphthalene? ▼
Health Information
Carcinogen Classification: This chemical is classified as a known or suspected carcinogen by the EPA under the Toxic Release Inventory program. This classification is based on evaluations by agencies including the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the National Toxicology Program (NTP), and the EPA itself.
Data comes from the EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) program. Release quantities are self-reported by facilities and may represent estimates. The total shown aggregates reports across all facilities and reporting years.
PlainEnviro presents this data without advocacy framing. The presence of a chemical in the TRI database does not by itself indicate a health risk at current exposure levels. For health-related questions about specific chemical exposures, consult your local health agency or a toxicologist.
Related
Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI). Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.