Are Moth Balls Harmful?

Mothballs prevent holes in costly clothing, but are harmful to humans.

In your grandmother's day, mothballs were a common insecticide used inside the home. Mothballs were stored in closets and dresser drawers to protect precious wool sweaters and out-of-season-clothing from moths, mice and silverfish. Although they are still used, we know now that the chemicals used in mothballs are harmful to humans, pets and the environment, and they are possible carcinogens.

Chemical Makeup

The two main ingredients used in mothballs are naphthalene or para-dichlorobenzene. When these ingredients are trapped in an enclosed space, the fumes turn into gas as they mix with the surrounding air. Pests die after inhaling the gas. If the container is not airtight, however, the fumes escape and lead to long-term exposure which might cause health problems. The smell and residue of the gas remains on clothes or wood for an indefinite amount of time, even after the source is gone. Washing the clothes or airing out the drawers may not dissolve the smell. The EPA has now mandated that using mothballs in a way other than specified on the package label is illegal because of the harm they can cause humans, pets and the environment.

Para-dichlorobenzene

The EPA has determined that para-dichlorobenzene is toxic if inhaled. Short-term exposure causes irritation to the eyes, skin and throat. Long-term exposure results in harm to the liver, skin and central nervous system. It also causes kidney and liver tumors in rats and, as a result, has been classified as a Group C, which is a possible human carcinogen.

Naphthalene

Short-term exposure to naphthalene through inhalation, ingestion or contact with skin causes anemia, cataracts and damage to the liver. It can also cause neurological damage to infants. The symptoms for acute exposure include confusion, anemia, jaundice, convulsions, coma, headache, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Long-term exposure causes cataracts and damage to the retina. Infants born to mothers who sniffed naphthalene have suffered from anemia. The EPA has also classified naphthalene as a Group C, possible human carcinogen.

Alternatives

Dried rosemary can be combined with other herbs to make a natural moth repellent.

Make a lovely smelling sachet to replace the toxic mothballs in your home. Place them in your dresser drawers or hang them in your closet. Find a store that sells herbs in bulk and purchase 2 ounces of dried rosemary, 2 ounces of dried mint, 1 ounce of dried thyme, 1 ounce of dried ginseng and 8 ounces of whole cloves. Blend the ingredients together until they are completely mixed. Fill silk or tightly woven cotton sachet bags with the herbs. Health food stores sell empty tea bags; these are also a good option to use for the herbs.

References

• National Pesticide Information Center: Mothballs - Regulation, Proper Uses and Alternatives
• Environmental Protection Agency: 1,4-Dichlorobenzene (para-Dichlorobenzene)
• Environmental Protection Agency: Naphthalene
• Care 2; Non-Toxic Moth Ball Alternatives; Annie B. Bond; July 2006
• Natural News; Get Rid of Moth Balls and Other Harmful Insecticides and Use Natural Alternatives; Fleur Hupston; March 2011

Resources

• National Pesticide Information Center: Mothballs