Naphtha is a hydrocarbon produced from crude oil or coal tar and used as a solvent in laundry soap, organic chemistry, and cleaning fluids. It can be dangerous and flammable, causing skin irritation and stomach upset. Refineries produce various forms of naphtha, each with its own Material Safety Data Sheet.
Naptha, also spelled naphtha, is a type of hydrocarbon produced through a distillation process. A major source of naphtha is crude oil, which is processed in refineries to break down hydrocarbon chains. Coal tar can also be processed to produce this hydrocarbon and can be extracted from wood. There are many uses for naphtha, including as a solvent in laundry soap or detergent. People have been using this compound for a long time; at least one culture, for example, used it in primitive grenades.
Terminology
There is some irregularity in the way the word “naptha” is used. Historically, it has often been used generally to refer to crude oil. Modern usage, however, refers to a number of differently composed hydrocarbons that share some structural similarities. The word – usually using the spelling “naphtha” – is often seen in the names of other hydrocarbon compounds, demonstrating that it is often a component ingredient or base in the processing and production of hydrocarbons.
variety
This chemical is often classified into one of two categories: aliphatic, or “light,” and aromatic, or “heavy.” Aliphatic compounds contain more of one chemical compound called paraffin. They are sometimes called paraffinic compounds.
it is used
A common use of this chemical is as a solvent. Naphtha is a very strong and versatile solvent that can be used in the cracking of hydrocarbons, laundry soaps, organic chemistry, cleaning fluids and many other applications. Fels-Naptha® is a particularly popular brand of soap that contains this chemical as a solvent. The product is also used to make paints and to fuel camping stoves and lamps, as well as in the processing of fuels such as petrol and kerosene.
Dangers
Some forms of this chemical can be dangerous. Some forms can cause cancer, and many of them cause skin irritation, stomach upset, and other health problems when people are exposed to them. Naphtha is also unstable and flammable, making it important that people handle it with care. People who inhale or ingest it should seek medical attention as soon as possible, and people who have had skin contact should shower well to reduce the risk of developing skin irritation.
Safety
Many refineries produce various forms of naphtha. Each comes with its own Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) which provides specific information about its chemical composition, handling precautions, health hazards and other characteristics. It is important for anyone using this chemical to read this information carefully so they are as informed as possible before using the chemical. The MSDS also contains information on what should be done if someone is accidentally exposed to the chemical or if another emergency situation occurs.
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