In humans, exposure to large amounts of naphthalene may damage or destroy red blood cells. This could cause the body to have too few red blood cells until it replaces the destroyed cells. Humans, particularly children, have developed this condition after ingesting mothballs or deodorant blocks containing naphthalene. Some of the symptoms of this condition are fatigue, lack of appetite, restlessness, and pale skin. Exposure to large amounts of naphthalene may also cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, blood in the urine, and a yellow color of the skin.
Animals sometimes develop cloudiness in their eyes after swallowing naphthalene. It is not clear if this also develops in humans.
When mice were repeatedly exposed to naphthalene vapors for two years, their noses and lungs became inflamed and irritated.
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