Mothball Poisoning in Children: Emergency Response Guide for Parents

Just two mothballs containing naphthalene can poison a child. These seemingly harmless household items contain dangerous toxins that destroy red blood cells and damage vital organs.

The scariest part about mothball poisoning comes from its delayed reaction. Symptoms take 48-96 hours to show up, which makes it especially dangerous. People might experience abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, and their urine turns dark brown. The European Union recognized these serious health risks and banned naphthalene-containing mothballs in 2008. This detailed piece helps you spot the warning signs, identify symptoms, and know exactly what to do if someone gets exposed to mothball poison.

Understanding Mothball Poisoning Symptoms in Children

Quick recognition of mothball poisoning signs can save a child's life. A child's body reacts dangerously to naphthalene-containing mothballs, and red blood cells take the biggest hit.

Common Signs of Naphthalene Exposure

Mothball poisoning affects many parts of the body. The first signs in children include stomach problems like nausea, bile-filled vomiting, belly pain, and watery diarrhea [1]. These digestive issues usually accompany fever, which helps doctors spot the problem [1].

As the poisoning gets worse, more dangerous signs appear:

• Blood-related signs: Hemolytic anemia (destruction of red blood cells), dark brown or bloody urine, and skin turning yellow (jaundice) [2]

• Neurological symptoms: Headache, confusion, lethargy, and in bad cases, seizures, changed mental status, and even coma [3]

• Respiratory problems: Shortness of breath, faster breathing, and in worst cases, acute respiratory distress syndrome [3]

• Kidney and liver effects: Less urine output, pain while urinating, high liver enzymes, and possible kidney failure [3]

One of the biggest red flags is hemolysis—red blood cells breaking down—which leads to anemia, blood in urine, and sometimes methemoglobinemia, where blood can't carry oxygen properly [2].

How Symptoms Differ Between Infants and Older Children

Babies face much bigger risks from mothball exposure than older kids. Health experts say babies get the highest exposure, and their bodies struggle to get rid of toxic naphthalene byproducts in their blood [4].

Naphthalene seeps into fabrics stored with mothballs. Putting these contaminated clothes on babies creates a unique danger [4]. A baby's larger skin surface compared to body weight means more absorption, especially with oils or lotions on their skin [5].

Babies are more likely to develop severe jaundice that can turn into kernicterus—a serious brain condition caused by too much bilirubin that can leave permanent nerve damage [4]. Older children rarely face this severe risk.

Babies with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency—an inherited enzyme problem—are at extreme risk. Their red blood cells can't fight naphthalene's effects, so even tiny exposure could be deadly [4]. Just one mothball can poison a young child and could be fatal with G6PD deficiency [4].

Timeline of Symptom Development (0-96 Hours)

The delayed nature of mothball poisoning makes it extra dangerous. Parents might not connect early symptoms to previous mothball contact:

0-24 hours: Kids might get headaches, throw up, and feel stomach pain. Many show no signs, though damage continues inside [1].

24-48 hours: Stomach problems usually get worse. Vomiting often contains bile, and diarrhea might start. Fever can show up, too [5].

48-72 hours: This is the danger zone when serious symptoms hit. Dark brown urine appears, vomiting continues, and watery diarrhea persists [2]. Red blood cells break down faster, causing anemia, blood in urine, and yellow skin. The skin might turn bluish from methemoglobinemia [2].

72-96 hours: Multiple organs start showing problems. Without treatment, kids can develop kidney damage from blood in urine, liver problems, and brain symptoms like confusion, extreme tiredness, and sometimes seizures or coma [3]. A case study shows how a 2-year-old boy who ate mothballs came to the hospital 3 days later with vomiting, seizures, methemoglobinemia, hemolytic anemia, and altered consciousness [6].

Note that regular oxygen readings might not work properly in kids with methemoglobinemia [2], making it harder for hospitals to track and diagnose the condition.

Identifying High-Risk Mothball Products in Your Home

Mothballs might look harmless in their packages, but they contain dangerous chemicals that put children at risk. Parents need to know what these products look like and where they might lurk in their homes to prevent mothball poisoning.

Types of Mothballs Containing Naphthalene vs. Paradichlorobenzene

The US market has two main types of mothballs. Each contains different chemical pesticides: naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene (PDB). Both release toxic gasses that kill insects, but they carry different risks.

Naphthalene mothballs:

• These are older versions

• They catch fire easily

• They're more dangerous than paradichlorobenzene options

• Health agencies consider them a possible cancer-causing agent [1]

• They can destroy red blood cells in children with G6PD deficiency [1]

• The European Union banned them in 2008 [1]

Paradichlorobenzene (PDB) mothballs:

• You'll find these more often now

• They're safer around the fire than naphthalene

• Eating or breathing them can still hurt you

• People also call them para-dichlorobenzene, p-dichlorobenzene, or 1,4-dichlorobenzene [7]

• The US Department of Health and Human Services says they "may reasonably be anticipated to be a carcinogen" [1]

These chemicals turn from solid to gas at room temperature without becoming liquid first. This process releases fumes that kill insects but can also harm your family [8].

You won't just find mothballs in their classic round shape. They come as flakes, crystals, cakes, and blocks packed in cans, packets, or cases [7]. This makes them even riskier because children might not recognize all these forms as dangerous.

Hidden Sources of Mothballs in Grandparents' Homes

Our grandparents used mothballs much more than we do today. People born before 1970 remember the distinct mothball smell from their grandparents' houses [9], which shows how common these products were back then.

You might find mothballs hiding in:

1. Storage trunks with seasonal clothing

2. Closets with wool garments

3. Dresser drawers, especially with sweaters

4. Attics with stored heirloom textiles

5. Basement storage areas

Older homes create extra worry because people often use mothballs incorrectly. Some put them in containers that weren't airtight, which let toxic vapors spread through living spaces [10]. Grandparents sometimes use them outdoors or near food areas, which can be dangerous [10].

The situation gets worse with illegal mothballs in some older households. These products slip in without proper safety checks or labels [10]. Nobody knows exactly what risks these unregulated products carry.

Dangerous Look-alike Products Children Mistake for Candy

The scariest part about mothballs is how much they look like candy. Small children and pets face real danger because these toxic items resemble treats [1]. One mothball can seriously harm a child who eats it [1].

The sweet taste of certain mothball chemicals makes things worse [11]. The National Poison Control Center warns that mothball ingredients can hurt you if you handle them too much, eat them, or breathe in too many vapors [12].

This fits into a bigger problem with look-alike products. About half of all calls to Indiana's poison center involve kids six and under, and many calls are about children eating things that look like candy [13]. If your child's skin turns yellow, that's a key sign they might have eaten a mothball [7].

To stay safe, always read labels carefully. Real mothballs should clearly state if they contain naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene. Any pesticide marked "Keep out of reach of children" could be dangerous [1].

Immediate First Aid Steps for Suspected Mothball Ingestion

Time is precious if your child swallows a mothball. Mothballs don't dissolve quickly in the stomach. This gives you a small window to act before toxic chemicals get absorbed into their system [4]. Your quick and correct response can substantially affect the outcome of mothball poisoning.

What to Do in the First 5 Minutes After Mothball Ingestion

If you think your child ate a mothball, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or your local emergency number (911) immediately [8]. Don't wait for symptoms because mothball poisoning can take hours or even days to show serious complications [14].

Quick treatment helps block the chemical absorption in the stomach [15]. You might want to try home remedies, but professional guidance is vital during these first minutes.

Medical professionals might induce vomiting if the mothball was swallowed less than 2 hours ago, but this decision should only be made by healthcare providers [4]. Poison control specialists will guide you based on:

• The type of mothball (naphthalene vs. paradichlorobenzene)

• Time since ingestion

• Your child's age and weight

• Current symptoms

Remove clothing and wash your child's skin well with soap and water if they touch mothballs.

When NOT to Induce Vomiting After Mothball Ingestion

In stark comparison to this outdated first aid advice, you should never attempt to induce vomiting on your own unless Poison Control or a medical professional tells you to. This becomes even more important, especially when you have mothball poisoning, for several reasons:

Your child might show signs of drowsiness, confusion, or seizures. Inducing vomiting could make them choke [4]. These brain-related symptoms suggest the poison has entered their bloodstream.

Naphthalene can damage the lungs if it gets into them during vomiting. The risks of chemical pneumonia from aspiration are nowhere near worth the benefits of removing the substance from the stomach.

Vomiting won't remove much toxin if more than 2 hours have passed. It might also delay more effective treatments [4].

Getting to emergency care should be your priority. Medical professionals can use better options like activated charcoal to bind the poisons [4].

Collecting Important Information for Emergency Services

Help medical providers deliver the best treatment by gathering this key information before calling emergency services or heading to the hospital:

1. Product details: Check to see if the mothballs contain naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene. The difference matters because naphthalene tends to be more toxic [8].

2. Timing information: Remember when it happened—even a rough estimate helps doctors plan the right intervention [8].

3. Quantity assessment: Count how many mothballs were eaten. A single naphthalene mothball can harm children [1].

4. Child's information: Keep your child's age, weight, and medical history handy, especially if they have G6PD deficiency which increases risks [7].

5. Symptom tracking: Watch for unusual urine color, yellowing skin, or behavior changes [15].

If possible, take the mothball container or packaging to the hospital [2]. The core team needs to know exactly what chemicals they're dealing with.

Dark brown or cola-colored urine needs immediate medical attention [16]. It suggests that red blood cells are being destroyed and helps confirm the mothball poisoning diagnosis.

When to Call Poison Control vs. 911 for Mothball Toxicity

"If you suspect that your child has eaten a moth ball, immediately seek medical care and call the Connecticut Poison Control Center at 800-222-1222." — Connecticut Poison Control Center, State poison control authority

Your quick decision to call either Poison Control or 911 could save your child's life if they're exposed to mothball toxicity. You need to know which service to contact to get your child the right care quickly.

Critical Symptoms Requiring Immediate Emergency Response

Call 911 right away (not Poison Control) if your child shows any of these critical symptoms after possible mothball exposure:

• Collapse or unconsciousness

• Seizures or convulsions

• Breathing difficulties or respiratory distress

• Cannot be awakened or is very lethargic

• Visible cyanosis (bluish discoloration of skin, especially lips and extremities)

These symptoms point to severe methemoglobinemia, a condition in which blood can't effectively carry oxygen, which can create life-threatening situations. Methemoglobinemia shows up as central cyanosis when levels are more than 1.5 g/dL [3].

Severe mothball poisoning can lead to sharp drops in blood pressure and increased heart rate. In worst cases, it may cause coma or death [17]. Children who swallow naphthalene might develop acute intravascular hemolysis, which leads to severe anemia, higher white blood cell count, and acute kidney injury [3].

Unlike milder symptoms, these critical signs need emergency medical help rather than phone advice. Children with G6PD deficiency need an even quicker emergency response because even one mothball can trigger hemolysis [1].

Information to Provide to Poison Control (1-800-222-1222)

Contact Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 if the exposure seems less severe or you're unsure about the risk. They're available 24/7/365, with registered nurses and pharmacists specializing in toxicology [18].

Have this information ready when you call Poison Control:

1. Child's details: Age, weight, and overall condition

2. Product specifics: Whether the mothballs contain naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene

3. Exposure timing: When the ingestion occurred

4. Quantity assessment: Your best estimate of how many mothballs were consumed

5. Symptoms observed: Any signs of illness, no matter how mild

6. Medical history: Especially G6PD deficiency or other blood disorders

Don't wait for symptoms to show up before you call Poison Control. Mothball poisoning symptoms might not appear for days or weeks [17]. Just one mothball can be toxic if swallowed. Watch for jaundice (yellowing of the skin), which needs immediate medical attention [15].

Poison Control can help even if you're unsure whether your child swallowed a mothball. Their team will help you decide if you need to go to the emergency room or can watch your child at home.

The webPOISONCONTROL online tool and the 1-800-222-1222 phone number are free, private, and always available [5]. After you contact Poison Control, they might tell you to:

• Give your child a small amount of water to drink

• Monitor for specific symptoms

• Proceed to an emergency department

• Implement home observation protocols

Poison Control can guide you in watching your baby for several days if it touches clothes stored with mothballs [15]. Regardless of previous advice, take your infant to emergency care immediately if its skin or eyes look yellow.

Also, For more useful resources on poisoning, visit MedicalToxic.com.

What Happens at the Emergency Room for Mothball Poisoning Treatment

Medical teams spring into action when a child arrives at the emergency room with mothball poisoning. Parents might feel overwhelmed by the hospital environment. A clear understanding of the process helps them guide through this scary time.

Diagnostic Tests Your Child Will Undergo

Your child needs several crucial tests to assess the severity of mothball toxicity:

• Complete Blood Count (CBC) with peripheral blood smear shows evidence of hemolysis (red blood cell destruction) [19]

• Hemoglobin levels can drop dangerously low in severe poisoning cases, as low as 2.7 g/dL [7]

• Methemoglobin concentration ranges from 0.4% to 1.1% normally, but mothball poisoning can raise it to 6.4% or higher [7]

• Liver function tests include bilirubin (often elevated with indirect predominance) and liver enzymes [6]

• Kidney function assessment measures BUN (blood urea nitrogen) and creatinine [6]

• Urinalysis detects hemoglobinuria and elevated urobilinogen [7]

• Blood gas analysis shows acid-base status and oxygenation [7]

Doctors might also order a chest x-ray and ECG (electrocardiogram) to check your child's heart and lung function [20].

Common Treatment Protocols for Naphthalene Exposure

Emergency room staff starts with these stabilization steps:

1. Airway management - Your child might need intubation and mechanical ventilation if breathing becomes difficult [8]

2. Decontamination methods - Activated charcoal helps stop poison absorption in the digestive system for recent ingestions [8]

3. Blood transfusions - Children need packed red blood cell transfusions when hemoglobin drops too low [6]

4. Intravenous fluids help maintain hydration, support blood pressure, and flush out toxins [8]

5. Pharmacological interventions include various medications:

   • Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) reduces oxidative stress from naphthalene [6]

   • N-acetylcysteine (NAC) treats methemoglobinemia, especially in children with G6PD deficiency [19]

   • Alkalis prevent renal tubule damage in cases with hemoglobinuria [21]

Methylene blue works for methemoglobinemia, but doctors avoid it in patients with G6PD deficiency, who need different treatments [19].

Mild cases might see methemoglobin return to normal within days if the cause gets removed quickly. High methemoglobinemia can last up to 19 days after naphthalene ingestion without proper treatment [6].

Questions to Ask the Emergency Room Doctor

Ask these important questions during your child's treatment:

1. What type of mothball poisoning is affecting my child? The risks differ between naphthalene and paradichlorobenzene [1]

2. Should we test for G6PD deficiency? This genetic condition makes naphthalene exposure much riskier [1]

3. What specific organ systems have been affected? Learn about possible damage to liver, kidneys, or blood cells [19]

4. What's the expected timeline for recovery? Effects from mothball poisoning might last days or weeks [6]

5. What symptoms should prompt an immediate return to the hospital? Watch for yellowing skin, dark urine, or breathing problems after going home

6. Are follow-up tests needed? Some complications show up days after the first treatment [6]

Medical staff monitors vital signs like temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure and adjusts treatment based on how the child responds [8].

Special Considerations for Children with G6PD Deficiency

"Ingestion of one moth ball can be toxic to a young child, and even lethal if G6PD deficiency is present in that child." — Connecticut Poison Control Center, State poison control authority

G6PD deficiency makes mothball poisoning much more dangerous for children. This inherited condition affects approximately 400 million people worldwide. It ranks as the second most common human enzyme defect and shows up especially when you have African-American ancestry, with 10% carrying this trait [15]. Learning about these risks could save your child's life.

Why G6PD-Deficient Children Face Higher Risks

G6PD (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) is a vital protective enzyme in red blood cells. We learned that it protects against oxidative stress by providing nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) through the pentose phosphate pathway [7]. Red blood cells can't protect themselves from toxic substances without enough G6PD.

This X-linked recessive disorder mostly affects males. Their red blood cells struggle to fight off naphthalene's effects [15]. These cells don't have the natural shields against the damage that naphthalene causes.

The risks are serious - even tiny amounts of naphthalene can trigger life-threatening reactions in these children. One mothball can cause hemolysis in patients with G6PD deficiency [1]. Such small amounts might not harm others severely, but they could be deadly for these vulnerable children.

Additional Symptoms to Watch For

Children with G6PD deficiency who get mothball poisoning usually get sicker faster. Keep an eye out for:

• Severe hemolysis: These kids often need multiple blood transfusions [7]

• Profound jaundice: Their skin turns yellow faster than other children [15]

• Dark urine: This happens because red blood cells break down quickly

• Extreme fatigue: Their blood can't carry enough oxygen

• Fever: This often comes with acute hemolysis

Some children develop acute kidney injury from hemoglobinuria and hemolysis [12]. The hemolysis is more severe in G6PD-deficient patients because they can't handle the oxidative stress from naphthalene [22].

Methemoglobinemia, where blood struggles to carry oxygen, can be more severe. Your child's peripheral oxygen saturation readings might look very low on pulse oximetry, around 70%-80%. These readings might only reach 90% even with high-flow oxygen [23]. This happens because methemoglobins absorb red and infrared light from the pulse oximetry probe equally.

Modified Treatment Approaches for These Children

These kids need different treatments than standard mothball poisoning care. Doctors can't use methylene blue - the usual medicine for methemoglobinemia - in these patients [7]. This medicine could worsen things by increasing hemolysis and causing paradoxical methemoglobinemia [22].

Doctors use these specialized treatments instead:

1. Exchange transfusion: This becomes the best choice for severe cases [22]. It replaces affected blood with healthy donor blood.

2. N-acetylcysteine (NAC): This works well for G6PD-deficient children as it reduces damage and helps the liver recover [7].

3. Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C): Doctors use this when methylene blue isn't safe [12].

4. Supportive care: This includes oxygen therapy, careful fluid management, and giving alkalis when hemoglobinuria shows up to protect the kidneys [13].

Testing for G6PD deficiency during acute mothball poisoning can be tricky. Tests during the hemolytic crisis might show false negatives. This happens because new red blood cells (reticulocytes) have higher G6PD activity during acute hemolysis [23]. Doctors usually test again three months after recovery, once the body has replaced transfused red blood cells with its own [7].

Home Care After Hospital Discharge for Mothball Poisoning

Your child needs careful monitoring after returning home from mothball poisoning hospitalization. Complications can develop days after the original treatment. The recovery process requires you to pay close attention to specific warning signs that might show ongoing hemolysis or organ damage.

Monitoring for Delayed Symptoms of Hemolysis

Children usually take 2-6 weeks to recover completely from mothball poisoning [24]. Parents should watch for these signs of continued or recurring hemolysis during this time:

• Yellowing skin or eyes: Jaundice could develop or get worse even at home

• Dark-colored urine: Cola or tea-colored urine shows ongoing red blood cell breakdown

• Excessive fatigue: Hemolytic anemia leads to extreme tiredness as oxygen-carrying capacity drops

• Shortness of breath: This might indicate worsening anemia that needs immediate medical care

Children with G6PD deficiency need even more careful monitoring since delayed hemolysis can occur without warning [4]. You should check your child's skin color daily in natural light to spot subtle color changes.

Nutrition and Hydration Guidelines During Recovery

Proper nutrition and hydration are the life-blood of recovery after mothball poisoning. Good fluid intake helps remove toxins and keeps kidneys working well:

1. Hydration: Give small amounts of clear fluids often, even if your child isn't thirsty.

2. Diet: Choose easily digestible foods that help blood cell regeneration. Bland foods work best at first since the digestive system might still be sensitive after poisoning.

3. Supplements: Your doctor may suggest specific vitamins like ascorbic acid (vitamin C) to help fight oxidative stress from naphthalene [6].

Children should avoid foods that trigger hemolysis, especially those with G6PD deficiency.

When to Return to the Hospital

Rush to medical care if your child shows any of these warning signs:

Urgent warning signs:

• Fever after coming home

• New episodes of vomiting or diarrhea

• Less urine output

• Growing tiredness or lethargy

• Trouble breathing

• Confusion or strange behavior

Mothball poisoning can have delayed effects. Hemoglobin levels might continue dropping for several days after exposure [5]. Kids who get blood transfusions will need more tests to check if their hemoglobin stays stable.

Most children make a full recovery with proper treatment. Case studies show normal kidney function and blood pressure after 18 months [7]. However, since even one mothball can harm children badly, any recurring symptoms need quick medical evaluation.

Preventing Future Mothball Poisoning Incidents

Preventing mothball poisoning is nowhere near as complex as treating it. Understanding safer alternatives and proper handling can protect your child from these dangerous chemicals.

Child-Safe Alternatives to Traditional Mothballs

Natural mothball replacements are a great way to get clothing protection without toxic risks:

• Cedar products: Cedar blocks, hangers, and chests naturally repel moths without harmful fumes

• Lavender sachets: Besides smelling pleasant, lavender effectively deters moths

• Essential oils: Cloves, rosemary, and thyme combinations work as natural repellents

• White vinegar: Helps kill existing moth eggs and larvae by changing surface pH balance

Moths are drawn to body oils, food stains, and sweat residue on fabric. Clean your clothes well before storage. Clean clothes stored in airtight containers create a barrier that moths cannot penetrate.

Proper Storage and Disposal of Naphthalene Products

Traditional mothballs require specific handling:

• Store them exclusively in sealed, airtight containers with child-resistant closures

• Keep all mothball products locked away from children's reach

• Loose mothballs should never go in drawers, closets, or open containers

• Label directions must be followed precisely—improper use is both dangerous and illegal

• Your local waste facility should handle mothball disposal as household hazardous waste

The European Union banned naphthalene mothballs in 2008 due to serious health risks. Using mothballs in gardens or around baseboards to repel pests is illegal in the US and Canada.

Teaching Children About Household Chemical Safety

Chemical safety education should match your child's age:

• Show children hazard symbols that mean "Danger! Do not touch."

• Clear rules about not touching household chemicals must be established and enforced

• Child-proof locks should secure cleaning products and chemicals

• Emergency numbers need to be visible: Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) and 911

• A household first-aid kit should include emergency wash liquids

Child-resistant packaging doesn't guarantee safety. Even with safety measures in place, supervision remains the best prevention tool.

Conclusion

Mothball poisoning can be deadly for children, especially when they have G6PD deficiency. Your child's survival chances improve greatly when you spot the symptoms quickly and respond correctly. Parents should know that severe poisoning can occur from just two naphthalene-containing mothballs. The danger increases because symptoms might not appear for 48-96 hours after exposure.

Medical experts strongly advise removing all mothballs from homes with children. You can use safe alternatives like cedar blocks, lavender sachets, and essential oils to keep moths away without any toxic risks. If you think your child has been exposed to mothballs, call Poison Control immediately at 1-800-222-1222. Call 911 immediately if you notice severe symptoms.

Your child's safety depends on proper storage and disposal of household chemicals. The best protection against accidental poisoning comes from teaching children about chemical dangers while you retain control of safety measures. Without a doubt, education and constant alertness work best to prevent mothball-related emergencies.

This piece provides parents with the knowledge they need about mothball poisoning risks, emergency responses, and prevention strategies. Fast action and proper medical care can mean the difference between life-threatening complications and full recovery for children exposed to these dangerous chemicals.

FAQs

Q1. How dangerous are mothballs for children? Mothballs can be extremely dangerous for children. Just two mothballs containing naphthalene can cause severe poisoning, leading to life-threatening complications. The risks are even higher for children with G6PD deficiency, where ingestion of less than one mothball can be potentially lethal.

Q2. What are the symptoms of mothball poisoning in children? Symptoms of mothball poisoning in children can include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark brown urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin), and in severe cases, confusion, seizures, or difficulty breathing. It's important to note that symptoms may not appear until 48-96 hours after exposure.

Q3. What should I do if I suspect my child has ingested a mothball? If you suspect your child has ingested a mothball, immediately call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or your local emergency number (911). Do not attempt to induce vomiting unless instructed by a medical professional. Collect information about the product, timing of ingestion, and any symptoms present to provide to emergency services.

Q4. Are there safe alternatives to traditional mothballs? Yes, there are several child-safe alternatives to traditional mothballs. These include cedar products (blocks, hangers, chests), lavender sachets, essential oils like cloves and rosemary, and white vinegar. These natural options effectively repel moths without the toxic risks of naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene.

Q5. How can I prevent mothball poisoning in my home? To prevent mothball poisoning, consider eliminating mothballs from your home entirely. If you must use them, store them in sealed, airtight containers with child-resistant closures and keep them locked away where children cannot access them. Educate children about household chemical safety, and always follow proper disposal guidelines for mothballs through your local hazardous waste facility.