Learn about mothballs and how to deal with moth-poisoning

Mothballs (camphor) are often put into the closet to chase termites, cockroaches . However, if not used properly, this chemical will cause poisoning.

Mothballs are produced from Napthalen , derived from coal or from petroleum refining. Naphtalene is a white crystalline solid and pressed into members called mothballs.

Naphthalene is sublimation, which means it has the ability to switch from solid to gaseous without the intermediate stage being liquid at normal temperature conditions. Therefore, the moth balls in the cabinet will evaporate to create insect repellent odor, louse bugs.

Mothballs affect most children, especially children under 5 years old.

Currently, mothballs are still widely used in developing countries because they are cheaper and easier to produce. Particularly in the US and Europe, this type is almost no longer used because of its high toxicity.

Do not mistake mothballs with camphor (also called brain chapter) used in medicine. This type is extracted from a plant growing in tropical countries called camphor tree (Cinnamonum camphora), properly called Camphor. Camphor is used in medicine, often in the form of an antiseptic, anesthetic and cardiovascular stimulant. Camphor is often used in skin oils.

Mild toxicity of mothballs

Mothballs cause acute poisoning, especially children under 5 years old. Poisoning occurs when swallowing or inhaling excessive amounts of ice vapor in a closed environment, lack of air, and ventilation. Particularly in young children, it is easy to be poisoned because when wearing clothes that have just taken out of the cupboard containing this pill, it is still very much sticky, long on clothes. On the other hand, mothballs can be partially absorbed through the child's skin, which can be toxic to the child's body. In addition, it is toxic if inhaled in the form of vapor for a long time.

1. Acute poisoning : Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice, dark urine, headache, restlessness, agitation, confusion, convulsions and coma, even death.
2. Chronic poisoning : Can cause rupture of red blood cells that cause anemia, causing necrosis of the liver, nerve damage (especially in young children), fatigue, irritability, or dizziness, poor performance, children grow slowly . Patients may experience prolonged diarrhea, upper respiratory inflammation (nasopharynx, throat) and chronic respiratory (trachea, bronchus, lung), cataract, retinal damage (the innermost layer of ocular) reduces vision.

Moth-causing mothballs are toxic if inhaled in the form of vapors for a long time.

Initial management and prevention

Take the person to a well-ventilated place to avoid inhaling additional mothballs. Wash your mouth, lips, skin, and hands and feet with water. Avoid using essential oils or fats because it will make the moth absorbed more quickly. Quickly bring to the nearest medical facility. There is no specific antidote for mothball poisoning, all are supportive and supportive treatment.

Limit use of mothballs. If necessary, use only 1-2 tablets in a closed cabinet. When opening the cabinet, you should follow a quick operation and wear a mask to avoid inhaling much of the toxic vapors.

For young children, after removing clothes from a storage cabinet, keep them in the sun to remove all the smell and let them use them. Absolutely do not use mothballs for the purpose of removing odors in rooms, in toilets, or in our surrounding habitats, especially in areas with no ventilation.

When using mothballs, care should be taken to keep children out of reach because they are very candy-like and fragrant and sweet, so they will think that candy and eating are dangerous.

How to get rid of cockroaches does not need mothballs

Onions also work to repel insects.

Because mothballs are highly toxic, they are very limited and should not be used. You try to use natural ingredients to chase and kill safer cockroaches as follows.

1. Use onions to chase cockroaches:Cut a few slices of onions and put them in a small plate to set at the feet of the closet.Or give a few slices of onion to the litchi bag, tied right in your closet.When the smell of the onion's scent smelled, the cockroaches would run away.
2. Use acid alum to chase cockroaches: Thesmell of alum is also very bad with cockroaches, so when you smell alum, they will also run away from the closet.You can put a cloth bag containing alum into a cabinet or hang in a cupboard to chase cockroaches.