How many mothballs can kill you?
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the United States has established a permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 10 ppm for naphthalene. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) established an immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) value of 250 ppm for naphthalene.
What happens if you breathe in mothballs?
Inhalation of naphthalene may cause skin and eye irritation; gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea; neurologic symptoms, such as confusion, excitement, and convulsions; renal problems, such as acute renal shutdown; and hematologic features, such as icterus and severe anemia ...
Are mothballs poisonous to touch?
Exposure to these chemicals can be harmful whether you breathe in the vapors or touch them directly with the skin. They are also harmful if ingested, which typically happens accidentally. For example, if you fail to wash your hands after touching a mothball and then handle food.
Are mothballs safe to use in the house?
According to the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC), the chemicals use in mothballs can be toxic to humans and pets and as people are exposed to these chemicals that are released as toxic fumes in the air space of the home.
Can I put mothballs in my closet?
Mothballs must be used in an airtight space, such as a garment bag or well- sealed container. Never place mothballs in an open closet or plastic garbage bag. Once vapors enter the home, their odor can persist for a long time.
Can smelling mothballs hurt you?
If you smell mothballs, you are being exposed to these chemicals. Children or pets sometimes mistake mothballs for food or candy and eat them, which can cause serious effects. Some of the chemicals in mothballs can cause reversible health effects that include headaches, nausea, eye and nose irritation and coughing.
Why you shouldn't use mothballs?
The fumes from mothballs kill clothes moths, their eggs and larvae that eat natural fibers in indoor storage areas, such as closets, attics and basements. Mothballs are not intended to be used outdoors. The active ingredients can contaminate water and soil, harm wildlife, and contribute to air pollution.
What happens when you put mothballs in water?
These chemicals have some of the toxic properties of naphthalene. Some naphthalene will dissolve in water in rivers, lakes, or wells. Naphthalene in water is destroyed by bacteria or evaporates into the air. Most naphthalene will be gone from water in rivers or lakes within 2 weeks.
What happens if a pet eats a mothball?
If a pet eats a mothball made of paradichlorobenzene, they may have vomiting, tremors, and/or abdominal pain. Paradichlorobenzene may also cause kidney and liver damage in pets.The World Health Organization (WHO) considers paradichlorobenzene possibly carcinogenic to humans based on studies with mice.
Why are mothballs banned?
A few weeks ago, pediatricians in Australia called for a ban on a common ingredient in mothballs after it was linked to one baby’s death and brain damage in two others. The primary ingredient of concern is naphthalene, which causes a breakdown of red blood cells in children with a genetic condition called G6PD deficiency.
What is the phone number for mothballs?
If you have questions about mothballs or any pesticide-related topic, please call National Pesticide Information Center at 1-800-858-7378 (seven days per week, 6:30am-4:30pm PST), or email at [email protected].
How to protect clothes from moths?
To protect these garments from clothes moths, first clean all of the clothing according to the manufacturer’s specifications. Then place the clean clothing in airtight containers. For existing infestations of clothes moths, you must do more. Vacuum out drawers and closets using a HEPA vacuum cleaner.
Can mothballs be harmful?
Concentrations high enough to be effective for pest control can be dangerous for anyone exposed to them. Mothballs can seriously impair indoor air quality. In fact, the odor of mothballs can be detected at a few parts per billion in the air. (One part per billion is about several drops of water in an Olympic-size swimming pool.)
How to use mothballs?
If you choose to use mothballs: 1 Follow label directions carefully. 2 Keep mothballs out of reach of children and pets.
What to do if you think someone swallowed mothballs?
If you think that anyone has swallowed mothballs, get guidance from Poison Control right away. Use the web POISON CONTROL ® online tool or call 1-800-222-1222 any time of the day. Both options will tell you exactly what to do. Rose Ann Gould Soloway, RN, BSN, MSEd, DABAT emerita. Clinical Toxicologist.
What happened to a 19-month-old boy?
Case 1: A 19-month-old healthy boy swallowed some mothballs containing paradichlorobenzene. The child was brought to the emergency room, where he was given activated charcoal. He seemed fine and his physical examination was normal. Three days later, his family took him back to the emergency room. His skin was yellow and he was fussy. His heart rate was very fast and his hemoglobin (reflecting red blood cells) was very low. The mothballs had caused his red blood cells to rupture. He was given a transfusion of packed red blood cells and admitted to the hospital. His hemoglobin level rose and the child recovered without additional problems.
What to do with mothballs?
Wash clothing and bedding that has been stored in mothballs before wearing or using it. (Some authorities believe that it's hard to wash naphthalene out of fabrics.) Dispose of mothballs with other household hazardous waste. (Hazardous waste collection sites differ by county.)
Can mothballs cause poisoning?
Breathing in the fumes over a period of time can cause poisoning, too. Children have been poisoned by wearing wool clothing stored with naphthal ene mothballs, although this is rare . The active ingredient in other mothballs is paradichlorobenzene. This is less toxic, but the mothballs and fumes can still be irritating or even poisonous.
Is a mothball a pesticide?
But if you look at a box of mothballs, it is clear that mothballs are pesticides. There is a lot of required information about how and when to use them, what to do if someone swallows them, and how to dispose of them properly. This information is required by law, because mothballs ARE pesticides.
Can moth balls be used in the attic?
Follow all label directions carefully. These products are legal to use on and around clothing. They are NOT legal to use loose in the attic, in the eaves, or on the ground outside in an attempt to repel animals. Wash clothing and bedding that has been ...
What happens if you smell mothballs?
Mothballs slowly turn from solids to toxic vapor. When you smell mothballs, you are inhaling the insecticide. Mothballs can also be dangerous if they are chewed or eaten. Children, pets and wildlife may mistake them for food or candy and eat them.
What to do if a child eats a mothball?
One mothball can cause serious harm if eaten by a small child. If someone has swallowed a mothball, call the Poison Control Center at 800-222-1222 for emergency medical advice. If you think your pet has eaten a mothball, contact your veterinarian or one of these emergency resources.
How to contact NPIC about mothballs?
For additional information on the health effects of mothballs, see the resources below or call NPIC at 800-858-7378 (8:00am - 12:00pm PST), or email at [email protected].
What are mothballs made of?
Mothballs are nearly 100% active ingredient, and the active ingredient may be either naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene. Each active ingredient can cause different health effects if the exposure is high enough. Mothballs slowly turn from solids to toxic vapor. When you smell mothballs, you are inhaling the insecticide. Mothballs can also be dangerous if they are chewed or eaten. Children, pets and wildlife may mistake them for food or candy and eat them. One mothball can cause serious harm if eaten by a small child.
What are mothballs used for?
Mothballs are classified as a pesticide and used to control moths, silverfish and other fiber pests in wool and other natural fiber clothing and materials. Mothballs should only be used as specified on the label, and their use is regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Can mothballs be used in closets?
Mothballs should not be placed in closets, attics, basements, storage chests or trunks, garment bags or other spaces other than in tightly closed containers as explained above. Gasses from the mothballs escape into the air and can cause respiratory problems. High levels of the chemical fumes can accumulate in closed areas. Improper use of mothballs can lead to long term exposures to people and pets. The fumes are heavier than air and will accumulate along floors, posing a danger to small children and pets.Another misunderstanding is the use of mothballs in outdoor areas to repel rodents, squirrels, bats, snakes or other wildlife. Mothballs are ineffective for this use and can contaminate soil and water. Using mothballs as animal repellants is not appropriate and can be illegal.
How to get rid of animal pests without mothballs?
There are a number of ways to eliminate animal pests from the garden without using mothballs. Hazards are minimal when you avoid using chemicals and poisons. Here are some tips on using safe control measures as alternatives to mothballs. Traps.
Why do we use moth balls in our garden?
Using mothballs to repel pests in the garden presents a danger to children, pets and wildlife that visit your garden. Young children explore their surroundings by putting things in their mouths. Animals might think moth balls are food.
What are mothballs in soil?
These mothball hazards may even harm the plants you are trying to protect. Mothballs are insecticides that are controlled by the Environmental Protection Agency.
How to get rid of chipmunks?
Traps. The persistent use of traps is a good way to reduce rodent populations and the only effective way to get rid of chipmunks. Use traps that capture animals without harming them and then release them in countryside fields or forests. Fences.
Can mothballs cause harm?
Ingesting even a small amount of the toxic chemicals in mothballs can cause serious harm that requires immediate medical or veterinary attention. Mothballs in gardens also present a risk if you breathe the fumes or get the chemicals on your skin or in your eyes.
Is it illegal to use mothballs?
Mothballs are insecticides that are controlled by the Environmental Protection Agency. This makes it illegal to use them for any purpose or by any method that isn’t specified on the label. Mothballs are labeled only for use in closed containers for the control of clothes moths.
Can moth balls be used as rodent repellent?
Mothballs In Gardens: Safe Alternatives To Mothballs For Pest Control. You’ve probably read tips on websites and in magazines that recommend using mothballs as rodent and pest repellents. Some people think they are “natural” animal repellents because they are ordinary household products.
What happens if you eat mothballs?
If mothballs are ingested, they can cause the following symptoms: Vomiting.
What are moth balls used for?
Mothballs have been used – as previously mentioned – to deter snakes in the garden, get rid of mice in the garage, or even squirrels in the attic. They are also claimed to be effective against bats when originally, it was used only for moths.
Why do people use mothballs?
Mothballs are popularly used in the U.S. to repel insects and pests that like to eat natural fibers, particularly wool. However, people started using mothballs to repel most insects and pests in their garden. At that time, mothballs may have been made using different chemicals that have an effect on pests. Older products bore labels stating that ...
Is mothball spraying illegal?
This violates the proper usage of the pesticide and in that case, it is considered illegal. In addition, mothballs that have not undergone checks by the EPA are considered illegal and should not be used.
Can mothballs repel squirrels?
There have been claims that mothballs can keep away garden pests, like snakes, as well as mice and squirrels. However, there hasn’t been any research done on the effect of mothballs as repellents against these animals.
Can mothballs harm the environment?
It can even contaminate water that you drink. That being said, mothballs are considered a toxic waste so proper disposal is a must. To avoid any naphthalene contamination that can harm the environment, keep in mind the following tips: Do not flush down the drain. Do not throw in with regular trash.
Is it safe to use mothballs indoors?
This is why they are safe to use indoors, provided they are in an airtight container. Mothballs are typically used to protect items that are put away for a long time, such as those in your storage area or garage. When used for other purposes, it can be risky for the health of humans, animals and the environment.
