Since many campers tend to use mothballs during winterization of their camping units, we thought we would share this important information with you.
Moth balls contain naphthalene and are considered a pesticide. They also contain paradichlorobenzene. The gases produced from these compounds grow and ferment over time and can be dangerous to humans and animals. Inhaling the vapors can cause bad headaches, dizziness and respiratory distress. Side effects can include: Irritated eyes, headache, dizziness, respiratory distress, liver damage, confusion, excitement, malaise (vague feeling of discomfort), nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, irritation in bladder, profuse sweating, jaundice, hematuria (blood in the urine), renal shutdown, dermatitis, optical neuritis, corneal damage.
The most common alternatives you can use instead of mothballs would be cedar or lavender. Here are a few more you could also try:
http://www.silentmenace.com/Moth_Balls.html
http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pdf/pnw/pnw606-e.pdf
http://npic.orst.edu/hottopic/mothball/index.html
Moth balls contain naphthalene and are considered a pesticide. They also contain paradichlorobenzene. The gases produced from these compounds grow and ferment over time and can be dangerous to humans and animals. Inhaling the vapors can cause bad headaches, dizziness and respiratory distress. Side effects can include: Irritated eyes, headache, dizziness, respiratory distress, liver damage, confusion, excitement, malaise (vague feeling of discomfort), nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, irritation in bladder, profuse sweating, jaundice, hematuria (blood in the urine), renal shutdown, dermatitis, optical neuritis, corneal damage.
The most common alternatives you can use instead of mothballs would be cedar or lavender. Here are a few more you could also try:
- Dried penny royal
- Dried mint leaves
- Cinnamon sticks
- Cloves
- Bay leaves
- Peppercorns
- Lavender
- Ginsent
- Eucalyptus
- Rosemary
- Wormwood
- Vetiver
- Thyme
- Rose petals
http://www.silentmenace.com/Moth_Balls.html
http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pdf/pnw/pnw606-e.pdf
http://npic.orst.edu/hottopic/mothball/index.html
