Be Careful with Mothballs

Each year about 4,000 children suffer from exposure to moth balls, and 600 of them require medical attention. The Central Connecticut Health District (CCHD) is warning residents that mothballs are a health risk to adults and children alike.

According to the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH), moth balls contain toxic chemicals such as naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene. These substances become a gas when exposed to air and create the pungent smell associated with moth balls. These gases can be irritating to eyes and lungs and can cause headache, dizziness and nausea. The chemicals are also suspected of causing cancer. Babies are the most susceptible to high exposure because they are less likely to clear any toxic byproducts in their blood.

To keep your children and yourself safe, here are a few guidelines to follow:

• Never sprinkle moth balls in closets, attics, gardens or storage areas.
• Use other methods to repel moths such as cedar chips.
• If you do continue moth ball use, choose a brand that contains paradichlorobenzene instead of
  naphthalene. It is less harmful. Also, store clothing containing moth balls in tightly sealed storage bags and lock them in a child-proof cabinet.
• If clothing was stored with moth balls, wash and air it out before allowing the items to be worn, especially by children.
• Never use moth balls as room deodorizers or as animal repellents.
• Do not use moth flakes, which contain the same chemicals described above.

A key symptom of moth ball consumption is jaundice(yellow skin or eyes), which can progress to organ damage and death. If you suspect that your child has ingested a moth ball, immediately seek medical care and call the Connecticut Poison Control Center at (800) 222-1222 or Connecticut DPH Toxicology at (860) 509-7740.

For more information about moth balls, contact the Central Connecticut Health District at (860) 721-2822 or visit the website at www.ccthd.org.