Moth Balls (Naphthalene and Paradichlorobenzene)
The National Pesticide Information Center takes several calls every year concerning the use of moth balls. In response to several inquiries about the proper use and potential health effects of moth balls, NPIC presents this collection of science-based articles, fact-sheets and resources. Our goal is to promote informed decision-making based on sound science.
Moth balls are pesticides that come in a solid form then volatilize slowly into a gas. Moth balls produced in the U.S. contain one of two active ingredients: naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene.
The information below is an extensive and carefully researched, but not necessarily comprehensive, list of resources on the subject. The topic headings were chosen because they were the areas that generated the most interest by people who contacted NPIC.
If you have questions about this, or any pesticide-related topic, please call NPIC at 1-800-858-7378 (seven days per week, 6:30am-4:30pm PST), or email at npic@ace.orst.edu.
Health Effects
Naphthalene
Environmental Protection Agency
Center for Disease Control
- ATSDR Tox Profile for Naphthalene
- ATSDR ToxFAQs for Naphthalene (summary)
- NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
- NIOSH, The Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substance Naphthalene
National Toxicology Program
National Library of Medicine
State Health Departments
- Office of Environmental Health Hazards Assessment
- The Risk Assessment Information System
- Wisconsin Department of Health
International Programme on Chemical Safety
Paradichlorobenzene
Environmental Protection Agency
Center for Disease Control, NIOSH
- NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, p-Dichlorobenzene
- NIOSH, 1,4-Dichlorobenzene
- Carcinogen List
- ATSDR Tox Profile
- ATSDR ToxFAQs (summary)
