Are moth balls toxic to breathe?

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.

Are mothballs safe to use in the house?

Per package directions, mothballs should only ever be in tightly closed containers, although even these containers may release vapors. Mothballs are particularly dangerous because they are often used incorrectly. They shouldn't be placed in closets, storage chests, trunks, garment bags, basements, or attics.

How much mothballs are toxic?

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.

Can the smell of moth balls hurt you?

Some of the chemicals in mothballs can cause reversible health effects that include headaches, nausea, eye and nose irritation and coughing. Exposure to naphthalene can cause more serious effects, including hemolytic anemia. Naphthalene is also a possible carcinogen.

Can smelling mothballs make you sick?

Moth balls contain a toxic chemical, either naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene. Both become a gas when exposed to air and cause that pungent moth ball smell. These gases are irritating to the eyes and lungs and may cause headache, dizziness and nausea.

Are mothballs toxic?

Will mothball smell go away?

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. If you put the mothball under fabric or someplace where there is no air circulation, it takes about 12 months to dissipate!

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.

What to use instead of mothballs?

Are there non toxic mothballs?

Cloves, Rosemary and Thyme

You've probably figured out by now that many spices in your kitchen pantry are effective mothball alternatives. These include cloves, rosemary and thyme. Mix these herbs together to create wonderful smelling sachet bags for your closet and storage items.

Are mothballs safe in the attic?

Mothballs should not be used inside attics, crawl spaces, gardens, trash cans or vehicles. Nor used to control skunks, mice or other pests. Mothballs should not be used inside attics, crawl spaces, gardens, trash cans or vehicles.

How long does it take for mothballs to evaporate?

One mothball in open air takes 3-6 months to dissipate entirely. If you place the mothball underneath clothing or otherwise not in open air, it will take up to 12 months to completely dissipate. The mothball smell stays in your home for months or years after dissipating.

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.

What happens to mothballs left in the open?

Mothballs slowly disappear as they turn into gas and mix with the surrounding air. The time it takes a mothball to vaporize depends on many factors, including how many mothballs are present, the amount of air-flow around the mothballs, and the temperature.

Can you put mothballs in drawers?

No, mothballs aren't necessary

Two, many people dislike the smell. Also, “they work best in very small areas,” explains Harrison. “You can put them in a small drawer, but don't expect them to be effective in a large closet.”

How do you get the air smell out of mothballs?

How do you remove the smell of mothballs?

Wash with white vinegar

In this case, white vinegar is good for clothing, specifically, because it will remove mothball odor without causing any new stains. Run your washer with the affected clothing in a cycle using just one cup of white vinegar.

What kind of animals 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.

What are good uses for mothballs?

Do moth balls keep squirrels away?

Mothballs. The smell of mothballs, which bring back memories of visits to grandmother's house for so many people, is repulsive for squirrels. If you have a squirrel issue within and around your home, you can place mothballs around your flowers or even in areas around the yard, including the attic.

What are moth balls good for?

Today's mothballs are typically almost 100% active ingredient, either paradichlorobenzene or naphthalene. These chemicals turn into gases that build up inside airtight containers, killing clothes moths and their eggs.

Are mothballs toxic to breathe Reddit?

TIL: Moth Balls are "Potentially fatal if inhaled" and cause breaks in DNA which increase the risk of cancer significantly. Well that's brilliant.

Are naphthalene balls the same as mothballs?

Older mothballs consisted primarily of naphthalene, but due to naphthalene's flammability, many modern mothball formulations instead use 1,4-dichlorobenzene. The latter formulation may be somewhat less flammable, although both chemicals have the same NFPA 704 rating for flammability.

Will the smell of mothballs hurt a dog?

Exposure to naphthalene can cause damage to the red blood cells (known as haemolysis) and if the destruction is severe enough, the dog can develop anaemia. This red blood cell destruction can result in secondary kidney injury. Another condition sometimes seen following naphthalene exposure is methemoglobinemia.

How long does mothball last?

Mothballs can last up to four to six weeks, and they can last even longer if you store your garments in a tightly sealed container. Regardless of how long the mothballs last before they dissolve, the smell will likely last longer.

Can mothballs cause asthma?

SYMPTOMS OF MOTHBALL EXPOSURE: Difficulty breathing, asthma worsening, asthma attacks – especially in children. Nose, eyes, and lung irritation.