Involved in the naphthalene catabolic pathway. Catalyzes the meta-cleavage of 1,2-dihydroxynaphthalene (1,2-DHN) to yield 2-hydroxychromene-2-carboxylic acid. Can also cleave 3-methylcatechol and 4-methylcatechol. naphthalene-1,2-diol + O2 = 2-hydroxychromene-2-carboxylate + H(+) Inhibited by bathophenanthroline sulfonate, o-phenanthroline, 8-hydroxyquinoline, 2,2'-dipyridyl and p-chlormercuribenzoate. Also inhibited by Hg(2+), Cu(2+), Co(2+) and Fe(3+) ions. Optimum pH is 6.5. Aromatic compound metabolism; naphthalene degradation. Belongs to the extradiol ring-cleavage dioxygenase family.