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You Think Mothballs Are Safe? Think
Again!
By Gerald Fleissner
Copyright© 2012 by Gerald Fleissner. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication
may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any
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Table Of Contents
1.
What Are Mothballs?
2.
Mothball Use
3.
Mothball Chemicals
3.1 Naphthalene
3.2 Paradichlorobenzene
3.3 Camphor
4.
Mothball Alternatives
5.
Prevention
Conclusion
Resources
1. What are Mothballs?
A mothball is a small ball of chemical pesticide, which is often combined with deodorant
and used to protect clothing, linen or other items that may be vulnerable to moth larvae.
They are typically used to prevent insect damage when items are being stored over a long
period of time. The use of mothballs to protect various stored items was once a regular
practice. However, the use of this product has become less common in recent times for a
variety of reasons.
2. Mothball Use
Mothballs are most commonly used to protect clothing, linen or other cloth items from
moth damage when being stored over long periods of time. Mothballs work by using
substances that are toxic to moth larvae and evaporate from a solid directly into a gas, a
process known as sublimation. Therefore, mothballs must be used properly in order to be
effective. This requires the user to place the mothballs with their clothing in a sealed
container. This will allow the vapors to build up killing or repelling the moths. In addition
to repelling moths, mothballs have also been used to repel a variety of other pests,
including snakes, mice, rats and squirrels. However, there are some risks associated with
this. The appearance and distinct sweet taste of mothballs means that they can easily be
mistaken for food or candy, which can pose a serious risk to children and pets. Therefore
leaving mothballs out in the open to repel pests is generally discouraged.
3. Mothball Chemicals
One reason that mothball use has decreased in recent years relates to their chemical
composition and the potential risks that they could pose to human health. Past research
has demonstrated that the chemicals found within mothballs have the potential to cause
cancer. This particular risk is thought to be associated with two primary chemicals
commonly found in mothballs.
3.1 Naphthalene
Derived from the distillation of coal tar, naphthalene is an organic compound that was
first described in 1821. Although it is primarily used as an ingredient in mothballs,
naphthalene is also commonly used as a wetting agent, as well as a precursor to the
production of other chemicals. Despite the apparent benefits associated with this
compound, its use has decreased significantly, due to the dangers that are associated with
it.
Exposure to large amounts of naphthalene has been known to damage or destroy red blood
cells, a condition known as hemolytic anemia. Symptoms may include fatigue, lack of
appetite, restlessness or pale skin. Exposure to larger amounts of naphthalene may lead to
even more severe symptoms such as blood in the urine, confusion, nausea, vomiting,
diarrhea and even jaundice. Recovery from the poisonous effects of naphthalene can take
a patient several weeks. This recover time can potentially be much longer in certain
situations.
Research has also been conducted suggesting that naphthalene is a carcinogenic (cancer
causing) chemical to both humans and animals. This is supported by the International
Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) who classifies naphthalene as a Group 2B
carcinogenic. In addition to this, naphthalene is highly flammable, which also poses a
completely different set of risks. Due to the health and safety issues associated with
naphthalene, its use in mothballs has declined significantly, with a different compound
known as Paradichlorobenzene regularly being used as a replacement for it.
3.2 Paradichlorobenzene
Commonly used as a substitute to naphthalene, paradichlorobenzene was first registered
for use in the United States in 1942. Like naphthalene, paradichlorobenzene is also an
organic compound, which is produced by the chlorination of benzene. In addition to its
use in mothballs, it is also regularly used as a disinfectant in waste containers, restrooms
and urinal cakes.
Despite being used in mothballs as a safer alternative to naphthalene, it has been
suggested that paradichlorobenzene is also associated with a variety of health risks.
Unlike naphthalene, paradichlorobenzene is not highly flammable. This reduces some of
the risks associated with its use. However, this does not mean that it is completely safe.
Like many hydrocarbons, paradichlorobenzene is highly lipophilic, meaning that it easily
accumulates in the fatty tissues of animals. Some of the milder symptoms caused by
exposure to this compound include skin, eye and respiratory irritation. However, more
severe effects have been reported after repeated or prolonged exposure. This includes
anaemia, reduced coordination and drowsiness. Studies conducted on animal subjects
have also reported tremors, unsteady gaits and lesions on the liver after prolonged
exposure to this compound.
Like naphthalene, paradichlorobenzene has also been shown to have carcinogenic
properties. Evidence of the carcinogenic potential of paradichlorobenzene is limited to
two studies which used mice and rats to test the risks associated with this compound.
Evidence from this research suggested that the effect of prolonged exposure can
potentially cause an increase in tumor growth. Despite the lack of research conducted on
human subjects, the IARC have determined that paradichlorobenzene may reasonably be
considered to be a carcinogen.
3.3 Camphor
In an effort to create a less toxic mothball an insect repellant known as camphor is also
sometimes used as the primary ingredient. This compound comes from the wood of a
camphor laurel, which is large evergreen tree found in Asia. It also occurs in some other
related trees that belong to the laurel family. In addition to this, it may be synthetically
produced from the oil of turpentine.
Despite its reputation as a safer alternative to naphthalene and dichlorobenzene, the use of
camphor as an ingredient for mothballs has also received criticism because of the potential
health risks associated with its use. Camphor has been shown to work as an endocrine
receptor and estrogen antagonist, potentially causing hormone imbalances. When ingested
in larger doses camphor is poisonous potentially causing seizures, confusion, irritability
and neuromuscular hyperactivity. If ingested in a high enough dose camphor can be lethal.
In some cases, even the topical application of camphor can be toxic.
4. Mothball Alternatives
Based upon the previous discussion it may seem like we are required to risk our health in
order to protect our clothing and other cloth items from moth damage. Fortunately this is
not the case. There are a number of natural techniques that can be used as an alternative to
traditional mothballs. By utilizing these environmentally friendly methods it is possible to
protect items from moths without the use of dangerous chemicals. Not only are they a
safer choice, but natural moth repellants also have the added benefit of the fragrances that
they leave behind, which are generally much more pleasant than the unmistakable odor
that are produced by mothballs.
It is possible to make a repellant spray by using neem oil combined with a little bit of
liquid castile soap. By mixing ¼ cup of neem oil with ½ gallon of water and a dab a liquid
castile soap you have created an effective repellant that can be sprayed inside your closets,
chests, dresser drawers and other storage areas to help repel moths preventing them from
ruining the items that you have stored.
In addition to neem oil, there are also a number of natural herbs that can be used to
prevent moth damage. Lavender leaves and oil have been shown to be quite effective for
repelling moths and other insects. Mint leaves and cedar wood chips are also commonly
used as a natural insect repellant. Other natural ingredients that have been used as moth
repellants include rosemary, bay leaves, cloves and thyme.
Natural moth repellants have been used for centuries. By understanding how naturally
occurring chemicals can be used to repel insects, it is possible to create your own ‘natural’
moth balls without the risk of using dangerous chemicals like naphthalene and
paradichlorobenzene. By mixing some of the natural repellants mentioned above, packing
them into small sachets and placing them into the containers with your clothing you will
find that your items are much less vulnerable to moth damage.
Although there are a number of different recipes that could potentially be effective, the
following formula has been successfully employed by others. The following ingredients
are required:
• 2 ounces of dried rosemary and mint
• 1 ounce of dried thyme and ginseng
• 8 ounces of whole cloves
Mix and blend all of these ingredients together in a large bowl. These ingredients are then
used to fill your sachets, which will be placed amongst your stored items to protect them
from insects.
5. Prevention
Repellants are a great way to protect clothing from moth damage. However, there are a
few preventative measures that can be taken help ensure that clothing does not become
damaged by insects while being stored for long periods of time. Cleaning your clothes
before storage helps to remove any larvae that could potentially cause a problem later on.
In addition to this, attempts should be made to store clothing in moth proof containers.
Therefore, you should avoid using cardboard boxes for storage. Instead use plastic
containers that have an airtight seal. Alternatively, it is possible to have your clothing and
other items stored professionally in a moth proof environment.
Conclusion
Despite the degree of prevalence in which they have been used, mothballs clearly pose a
number of health risks to individuals who come into contact with them. Naphthalene, a
chemical that was most commonly used in the earliest mothballs, has been linked to both
anaemia and cancer. In attempt to make mothballs safer, modern mothballs commonly use
an ingredient called paradichlorobenzene. However, this chemical has also been linked to
a variety of health problems ranging from minor skin irritation to cancer. Even camphor,
which was used to create a less toxic mothball, is associated with various health problems.
Fortunately there are a variety of alternative measures that can be taken to reduce the risk
that moths pose to stored clothing, linen and other items. There is evidence that suggests
certain plants and herbs can be quite effective for repelling moths. These compounds can
be used to make repellant sachets which can then be stored with clothing to protect it.
However, proper storage is probably the most important measure that can be taken to
protect clothing. By making sure stored items are clean and kept in moth proof containers,
you can be relatively confident your clothing and linens will not be damaged by moths or
other insects.
Resources
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para-dichlorobenzene suppress apoptosis in Caenorhabditis elegans.’ Nature Chemical
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