Is it harmful to breathe mothballs?

The chemicals in mothballs are toxic to humans and pets. People are exposed to the chemicals in mothballs by inhaling the fumes. 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.

How long does it take moth balls to kill moths?

about 3-6 months
Mothballs can be effective at what they do, but that doesn’t mean you want them to stick around for too long. Mothball odor is a terrible smell to have clinging to your clothing. And we have some shocking news for you: a single mothball takes about 3-6 months to dissipate completely.

Can you sleep in a room with mothballs?

‘ and the answer to this question is yes, potentially. 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.

What creatures do mothballs keep away?

Mothballs sometimes are used illegally to repel pests not listed on labels. Some of these “off-label pests” include: squirrels, skunks, deer, mice, rats, and snakes, among others animals.

Do moth balls deter mice?

Do mothballs keep mice away? Mothballs repelling mice and rats is a common misconception. Mothballs contain a small amount of naphthalene and can be a deterrent in large quantities, however, they aren’t powerful enough to get rid of mice and rodents.

Why does my house suddenly smell like mothballs?

What Causes a Mothball Smell In Your House? The simple answer is mothballs. Specifically the chemical that causes the mothball smell is naphthalene. Naphthalene also is present in tobacco smoke, and even in the air in highly polluted cities.

What happens when mothballs get wet?

Wet mothballs are even more potent than dry ones. And the wetness can be profound, like exposure to water from a flood or leaky pipe, or mild, in the form of high humidity. Either will cause the odor to be more potent and sublimation to be more rapid.

Where should I put mothballs in my house?

Mothballs must be used in an airtight space, such as a garment bag or well-sealed container, never in an open closet or plastic garbage bag, according to the authors. “Once vapors enter the home, their odor can be detected at a few parts per billion in the air,” Stone said.

Will cats eat mothballs?

Mothballs contain a high concentration of insect repellent. Poisoning most commonly occurs when cats or dogs ingest mothballs. Cats are more sensitive to their toxic effects, but dogs are more likely to ingest mothballs due to their curious nature. Long-term exposure to mothball fumes can also harm pets and people.

What do you do if you touch a mothball?

If you have found mothballs, do not touch them with your bare hands: use gloves. Dispose of them in the same way that you dispose of other household hazardous waste. Ensure that you wash your hands afterwards as well.

Why don’t we use mothballs anymore?

Not only are artificial fabrics totally lacking in nutritional value, they can disrupt moths’ reproductive cycle and sometimes even impede their ability to lay and fertilize eggs.

Will the smell of mothballs hurt a dog?

Mothballs contain a high concentration of insect repellent. Poisoning most commonly occurs when dogs ingest mothballs. Cats are more sensitive to their toxic effects, but dogs are more likely to ingest mothballs due to their curious nature. Long-term exposure to mothball fumes can harm pets and people.

What happens if a child eats a mothball?

Ingestion of one moth ball can be toxic to a young child, and even lethal if G6PD deficiency is present in that child. A key symptom is jaundice (yellow skin) which can progress to organ damage and death.

Can mothballs touch clothes?

Naphthalene mothballs keep Moths out of clothing but must be used carefully, especially around children. Mothballs can irritate skin; keep fabric from coming into direct contact with mothballs.

How do you use mothballs in a 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.

How many naphthalene balls cause death?

Symptoms of naphthalene poisoning may not appear for several hours or days following ingestion. A number of deaths have been reported following intentional ingestion of naphthalene-containing mothballs (ATSDR, 1990). The estimated lethal dose of naphthalene is 5-15 g for adults and 2-3 g for children (Sandmeyer, 1981).

Are mothballs flammable?

Naphthalene is highly flammable, which is why dichlorobenzene in many more modern mothballs has replaced it . However, both chemicals have the same NFPA 704 code for flammability. The vapor that comes off of mothballs and kills pests is flammable, making them a serious fire hazard.

How do you get rid of mothball fumes?

You can use various household supplies to remove the odor, including white vinegar, non-chlorine bleach or baking soda. All of these have powerful odor-reducing properties. After one soak, either in the bucket or washing machine, smell the clothing. If there is any remaining scent of mothballs, repeat this step.

Has anyone died from mothballs?

The fatal dose for naphthalene in humans is unknown, but as little as one mothball can result in toxicity in children. Deaths have been reported the following ingestion of naphthalene balls.

Can smelling mothballs make you sick?

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 …

What do mothballs smell like?

Mothballs smell bitter and chemicals like house paint, ammonia, or cigarette smoke. Although some more modern brands of mothballs don’t have a strong smell, good old classic mothballs can have a pungent, lingering odor. Mothballs often contain napthalene or paradichlorobenzene.

What happens if eat naphthalene balls?

If swallowed, naphthalene can damage red blood cells, causing kidney damage and many other problems. It can affect how blood carries oxygen to the heart, brain, and other organs. It can also cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, seizures and coma. Breathing in the fumes over a period of time can cause poisoning, too.