The Dangers of Packaged Moth Balls
Packaged mothballs are commonly used to get rid of insects infesting a home. A mothball is a small white ball that has a very strong odor from the chemical naphthalene. The packaging directs that people place these balls in plastic bags with clothes and other items. Many people place them out in the open where the odor is exposed to the ventilation of the home. It is dangerous for human and non-human residents to inhale mothballs because doing so can bring on medical complications. Does this Spark an idea?
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Stomach Problems
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Stomach problems associated with inhaling the odor of naphthalene in mothballs includes severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. If a mothball is ingested by any child, animal or adult you must call poison control and an seek emergency medical care. Swallowing a mothball can be very dangerous or even fatal.
Brain Dysfunction
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Headache, drowsiness and confusion are side effects of naphthalene exposure. Convulsions of the body along with possibly going into a coma are also possible. These symptoms usually occur with prolonged exposure to the mothballs and can often be associated with a fever and the above-listed stomach problems.
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Heart Complications
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Having low blood pressure and a high heart rate can be a symptom of over exposure to naphthalene. The normal heart rate of an average adult is between 60-100 beats a minutes. By holding a pulse point on the wrist or in the neck you can easily determine someone's heart rate. A blood pressure reading can be taken with a home blood-pressure cuff or by a medical professional.
Other Dangers
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Others may experience shortness of breath and yellowing of the skin. A lowered urination output can occur, along with a stop in urination completely. All of the these symptoms should be immediately checked out by a medical professional.
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References
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