{"hq_id":"hq-p-hom-000147","name":"Moth Balls and Moth Repellent Products","category":{"primary":"household","secondary":"pest_control","tags":["mothballs","naphthalene","paradichlorobenzene","fumigant","closet","storage"]},"product_tier":"HOM","overall_risk_level":"high","description":"Moth repellent products containing either naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene (1,4-DCB). Both are volatile solid fumigants that sublimate at room temperature. Naphthalene is an IARC Group 2B possible carcinogen; 1,4-DCB is an EPA Group C possible carcinogen. Mothballs are pesticides (EPA-registered) but commonly misused — placed in living spaces, attics, under houses, and in gardens where children and pets are exposed.","synthesis":{"derived_risk_level":"moderate_to_high","synthesis_confidence":0.738,"synthesis_method":"compound_composition","context_used":"human_child","context_source":"product_users","exposure_modifier":1.4,"vulnerability_escalated":true,"escalation_reason":"Child exposure group","compounds_resolved":2,"compounds_total":2,"synthesis_date":"2026-05-09","synthesis_version":"1.2.0","methodology_note":"exposure_modifier and adjusted_magnitude are computed from ALETHEIA-calibrated heuristics (route × duration × frequency multipliers, clamped to [0.5, 1.4]). Multipliers are directionally informed by EPA Exposure Factors Handbook (2011) and CalEPA OEHHA but are not regulatory consensus. See /api/methodology for full disclosure."},"hazard_summary":{"sensitive_populations":"children (ingestion resembles candy), G6PD-deficient individuals (naphthalene hemolysis)","overall_risk":"high","primary_concerns":["Naphthalene — IARC Group 2B possible carcinogen, causes hemolytic anemia in G6PD-deficient","1,4-DCB — EPA Group C possible carcinogen, chronic inhalation exposure","Child poisoning from oral ingestion (mothballs resemble candy)","Widespread illegal misuse as general pest repellent in living spaces"],"exposure_routes":"Inhalation (chronic from sublimation); oral (child ingestion); dermal (handling)"},"exposure":{"routes":["inhalation","dermal","oral"],"contact_types":["inhalation","skin_brief","oral_direct"],"users":["adult","child"],"duration":"continuous","frequency":"daily","scenarios":["Mothballs in closet off-gassing into bedroom (chronic inhalation)","Children finding and mouthing mothballs (acute poisoning — looks like candy)","Misuse as general pest repellent in living spaces, gardens, under homes"],"notes":"Mothballs are EPA-registered pesticides — legal use is ONLY in enclosed containers with clothing. Using mothballs in open areas, gardens, or living spaces is illegal pesticide misuse. Naphthalene mothball ingestion by children causes hemolytic anemia (especially in G6PD-deficient individuals). Paradichlorobenzene is less acutely toxic but a chronic exposure carcinogen."},"consumer_guidance":{"usage_warning":"Use ONLY in sealed containers with clothing — never in open living spaces. Keep away from children — mothballs look and smell attractive to toddlers. Using mothballs outside sealed containers is illegal pesticide misuse.","safer_alternatives":["Cedar blocks and chips (natural moth deterrent)","Lavender sachets (repels moths without toxic chemicals)","Sealed garment bags with cedar or lavender","Regular cleaning and vacuuming of stored clothing"],"red_flags":[{"indicator":"Strong chemical odor from new product","meaning":"Off-gassing of volatile chemicals.","action":"Air out in ventilated area before indoor use."}],"green_flags":[{"indicator":"GREENGUARD or UL certification","meaning":"Tested for low chemical emissions.","verification":"Check for GREENGUARD Gold or UL GREENGUARD certification mark."}],"what_to_ask":[{"question":"What certifications does this product have for indoor air quality?","why_it_matters":"Certification verifies low chemical emissions in occupied spaces.","good_answer":"GREENGUARD Gold, California ARB compliant, or equivalent.","bad_answer":"No emission testing or certifications."}],"alternatives":[{"name":"Cedar blocks and chips","notes":"natural moth deterrent"},{"name":"Lavender sachets","notes":"repels moths without toxic chemicals"},{"name":"Sealed garment bags with cedar or lavender","notes":"Safer alternative"}]},"regulatory":{"applicable_regulations":[{"jurisdiction":"USA","regulation":"CPSC General Safety","citation":"15 U.S.C. 2051","requirements":"Consumer products must not present unreasonable risk of injury.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":"CPSC","penalties":null,"source_ref":null},{"jurisdiction":"USA -- California","regulation":"California Proposition 65","citation":"CA Health & Safety Code 25249.5","requirements":"Products containing listed chemicals require clear warnings.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":"OEHHA","penalties":null,"source_ref":null}],"certifications":[],"labeling":{"required_disclosures":[],"prop65_warning":{"required":null,"chemicals":[],"endpoint":null,"notes":null},"ghs_labeling":{"required":null,"signal_word":null,"pictograms":[],"hazard_statements":[],"notes":null},"hidden_ingredients":{"trade_secret_protected":null,"categories_hidden":[],"estimated_count":null,"known_concerns":null,"notes":null},"notes":null},"recalls":[],"regulatory_gap":null,"notes":null},"lifecycle":{"recyclable":false,"disposal_guidance":"Hazardous waste — do not put in regular trash or flush. Take to household hazardous waste facility.","hazardous_waste":true,"expected_lifespan":"months"},"formulation":{"form":"varies","key_ingredients":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000096","name":"Naphthalene","role":"active_ingredient","concentration_pct":"99"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000413","name":"p-Dichlorobenzene (1,4-dichlorobenzene)","role":"active_ingredient_alt","concentration_pct":"99"}],"certifications":[]},"materials":{"common":[],"concerning":[],"preferred":[]},"compound_composition":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000096","compound_name":null,"role":"active_ingredient","typical_concentration":"99%"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000413","compound_name":null,"role":"active_ingredient_alt","typical_concentration":"99%"}],"identifiers":{"common_names":["moth balls and moth repellent products"],"aliases":[],"manufacturer":null,"brands":[]},"brand_examples":[{"brand":"Dow AgroSciences","manufacturer":"Corteva","market_position":"professional","notable":"Agricultural fumigant manufacturer"},{"brand":"AMVAC","manufacturer":"AMVAC Chemical","market_position":"professional","notable":"Soil fumigant producer"},{"brand":"TriEst Ag Group","manufacturer":"TriEst Ag Group","market_position":"professional","notable":"Fumigation service provider"}],"brand_examples_disclaimer":"Representative branded products of this category. Concerning ingredients listed in materials.concerning[] apply to the category, not necessarily to every named brand. Specific formulations vary by SKU and may have changed since this record was written; consult the brand's current ingredient label before drawing brand-level conclusions.","sources":[{"type":"expert_curation","name":"ALETHEIA Safety Database","date":"2026-03-25"},{"type":"regulation","title":"CPSC General Safety (15 U.S.C. 2051)","jurisdiction":"USA","citation":"15 U.S.C. 2051","id":"src_f01143be"},{"type":"regulation","title":"California Proposition 65 (CA Health & Safety Code 25249.5)","jurisdiction":"USA -- California","citation":"CA Health & Safety Code 25249.5","id":"src_fe1d5adc"},{"id":"iarc_82_naphthalene","type":"regulatory","title":"IARC Monographs Volume 82: Some Traditional Herbal Medicines, Some Mycotoxins, Naphthalene and Styrene — Naphthalene Group 2B Evaluation","year":2002,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000096"},{"id":"epa_iris_naphthalene","type":"regulatory","title":"US EPA: Naphthalene — IRIS Toxicological Review, Carcinogenicity Assessment and Reference Concentrations (Group C)","year":1998,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000096"},{"id":"nhanes_pdcb_biomonitoring","type":"regulatory","title":"CDC NHANES Fourth Report: 2,5-Dichlorophenol (p-DCB Metabolite) — Near-Universal US Population Detection; Moth Ball and Air Freshener Exposure Correlation; Children's Higher Burden","year":2009,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000413"},{"id":"epa_pdcb_iris","type":"regulatory","title":"US EPA IRIS: p-Dichlorobenzene — Likely Human Carcinogen; MCL 0.075 mg/L; Oral Slope Factor; Consumer Product Inhalation Assessment; Aquatic Life Criteria","year":1998,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000413"},{"type":"regulatory","title":"US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)","jurisdiction":"USA","id":"src_defdd418","extraction":"description_reference"},{"type":"monograph","title":"International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)","jurisdiction":"International","id":"src_d9ebbaf2","extraction":"description_reference"}],"meta":{"schema_version":"4.0.0","last_updated":"2026-03-25","timestamp":"2026-05-14T01:25:52.625Z"}}