Is it safe to keep naphthalene balls near food?

none at all. there are safe moth repellents for pantries, mothballs are not for use near food. Mothballs will repel other pests but it is a bad idea to use them in an area you use to store food like a pantry or kitchen cabinets especially if the space has a door which is normally kept closed.

Can mothballs contaminate food?

Pantry moths lay their eggs on stored food and grains. Finding an adult moth may be a sign that there are infested items somewhere in the home. Mothballs should not be used around food or food preparation areas.

Can we keep naphthalene balls in kitchen cabinets?

Place two to three balls in every rack of your kitchen shelf. Some other preventive measures you can take are to secure the drain openings in the kitchen and bathrooms every night, keep the under-sink cabinet odor free and place naphthalene balls in the region. Do not use newspapers to line the shelves.

Is naphthalene toxic to humans?

Naphthalene is used in the production of phthalic anhydride; it is also used in mothballs. Acute (short- term) exposure of humans to naphthalene by inhalation, ingestion, and dermal contact is associated with hemolytic anemia, damage to the liver, and neurological damage.

What will happen if I eat naphthalene balls?

If swallowed, naphthalene can damage red blood cells, causing kidney damage and many other problems. It can affect how blood carries oxygen to the heart, brain, and other organs. It can also cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, seizures and coma. Breathing in the fumes over a period of time can cause poisoning, too.

How do you store naphthalene balls in cupboard?

Mothballs must only be used in enclosed, airtight containers. Choose plastic containers and garment bags you can close up and store in the closet or under the bed. Lay the clothes inside the container. Moths eat animal products such as wool, leather, and felt.

What will happen if we eat naphthalene balls?

How do you use naphthalene balls in cupboards?

Mothballs must be used in an airtight space, such as a garment bag or well- sealed container. Never place mothballs in an open closet or plastic garbage bag. Once vapors enter the home, their odor can persist for a long time.

Why do we keep naphthalene balls in cupboard?

Naphthalene is an organic compound which undergoes sublimation. –>Naphthalene balls are kept in stored woollen and silk clothes etc to protect from the attack of moths and other insects. —> It is noticed that if kept open,Naphthalene balls disappears with time without leaving behind any residue.

How do you store naphthalene balls in the kitchen?

When using naphthalene balls, place the balls in a properly closed container so that pesticide fumes do not accumulate within the living space. This prevents people or pets from breathing them in for long periods of time.

Is naphthalene absorbed in the stomach?

Naphthalene, an ingredient in mothballs, is well absorbed following ingestion, dermal contact, or inhalation. Exposure often causes headache, altered mental status, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever [1].

Is smelling naphthalene balls harmful?

Inhalation of naphthalene may cause skin and eye irritation; gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea; neurologic symptoms, such as confusion, excitement, and convulsions; renal problems, such as acute renal shutdown; and hematologic features, such as icterus and severe anemia …

Is it safe to consume food that contains naphthalene balls?

Presently consuming juice made out of cut fruits thats were stored in a cupboard that had naphthalene balls. The juice has a flavour of naphthalene. Strong one. I should probably not be consuming this. But I guess it is safe to consume food that is sealed by air tight lid.

Can you mix mothballs with naphthalene?

It is also a legal requirement. “Never mix active ingredients, such as naphthalene and paradichlorobenzene, when using mothballs,” Stone said. Mothballs must be used in an airtight space, such as a garment bag or well-sealed container, never in an open closet or plastic garbage bag, according to the authors.

Can you use naphthalene to repel insects?

Answer Wiki. Storing or applying any kind of pesticide in close proximity to foods can be a recipe for disaster. Rather than relying upon naphthalene or other substances to repel insects in the cupboard, it would be far better to protect dried foods by storing them in securely closed canisters, jars, tightly-sealed bags, etc.

What are naphthalene balls made of?

Naphthalene balls or mothballs as they are commonly known,are small little round balls made of chemical insecticides. These mothballs are used chiefly for clothes that are going to be stored away for sometime.