any danger from Moth balls ?

[Michael Fay]

I did some thread searchs with keyword "moth ball" but did not find anything on this : Is there any negative effects to cloth/fabric etc. by the use of mothballs?
I have wondered for a long time...if you look at the ingredients of mothballs sometimes it varies from product maker...
I cant help but suspect just about everything has a down side...

As always, will appreciate any ideas

[Ferdinand W.]

I tested it

Hi Mike,

I've been using mothballs for more than 25 years by now - I must say that I use those seperately wrapped in a little paper-bag !
There never occured any damage to cloth/fabric or any other textiles like web material used for US and German magazine-pouches. Also leather is not affected.
BUT !! be careful with visor-caps' celluloïd maker's triangles & labels !!
Some ingredients (Napthalin, Paradichlorbenzol) may heavily harm celluloïd !!

These are my experiences with European mothballs containing the ingredients above. Try to find out what US mothballs contain and you may use my experiences by analogy then.
I do hope this helps !

Ferdinand

[Paul R.]

Using moth balls can be dangerous. It will and has caused serious upper respitorary and lung problems. Second the out gassing from the moth ball has changed plastic discolored fabric dyes, oxidized metal, and has made items brittle. In the museum world I have witnessed many such changes. In museum studies ingredients in moth ball like Napthalin, Paradichlorbenzol has change items. I just posted an article that I wrote on sticky bug traps. You may want to read it under Help!!! 2 days ago. Sorry it may be a bit long but I was in a hurry to post it. Paul

[GD/LW]

There is indeed danger for the health (lungs for example). Here in Belgium it's forbidden to sell them. However for the cloth and tunics there is no danger at all. I still use them as I found a seller who still had a complete stock for sale. The stock they may sell but it's forbidden here to produce them.

[Erich B.]

In addition to damaging the celluloid, I've noticed that some visors' black finish may become 'sticky' feeling, which can't be good!
I've been using a product called 'Hot Shot' which is intended for use in sealed storage areas, and will kill just about any pest. Unfortunately, it's not considered safe to use where you would be breathing in the chemical (Dichlorvos is the active ingredient). I haven't found any documentation nor have I seen any indication (on actual artifacts) that it is harmful to cloth or celluloid.
Erich

[ccnrecon]

My mothballs went to the trash today. I got tired of head aches from spending time in my war room. I am going to switch to cedar chips and I sincerely hope that they will have the same effect that moth balls would have.

[ccnrecon]

My mothballs went to the trash today. I got tired of head aches from spending time in my war room. I am going to switch to cedar chips and I sincerely hope that they will have the same effect that moth balls would have.

[Erich B.]

Quick update--the active chemical in 'Hot Shot' can, in excessive concentration, damage aluminum and other metals. So, that's not an option either!
Erich

[juoneen]

I put flags away with moth balls, and moth spray sold in aerosol cans, and it didnt work. After a few years it may not have been moths, but something ate a bunch of holes in some of my perfect flags, and i decided to put them in zip up clothing bags instead. hey also ate parts of polizei shoulder boards , and really screwed them up. Bugs will eat holes in german leather helmet liners also, might be a good idea to check on them every so often I learned the hard way.

[Michael Fay]

Thank you to all who have contributed.
Well... I now believe there is nothing that is truly safe from a negative side effect.
No free lunch.

I have a fez in box swimming in mothballs.
Ive been using mothballs for years with books. After awhile I just carried them around with my bare hands and have made a air tight library to treat books etc.I have found that mothballs (in a small airtight place) will kill or inhibit most molds found on old books and magazines.

I have worked with them so much I know I have gotten ill from them. They irritate skin for sure. sure hope not about brain damage.

I did not realize they are illegal in Belgium due to safety concerns!

Once again, a lot to consider as to how to store TR cloth, and books.

[Michael Fay]

Using moth balls can be dangerous. It will and has caused serious upper respitorary and lung problems. Second the out gassing from the moth ball has changed plastic discolored fabric dyes, oxidized metal, and has made items brittle. In the museum world I have witnessed many such changes. In museum studies ingredients in moth ball like Napthalin, Paradichlorbenzol has change items. I just posted an article that I wrote on sticky bug traps. You may want to read it under Help!!! 2 days ago. Sorry it may be a bit long but I was in a hurry to post it. Paul

Paul, what about books? from what you wrote it sounds like books may be a tiny bit safer with mothballs?
In my library I have had sticky traps in there for years and hardly ever does anything get caught in them so I wonder as to there efficaciousness.
thanks,
Michael

[Gunbunny]

Moth balls, in addition to causing respiratory and liver problems, are now recognized as a carcinogen. I had a friend who was a major collector and he died at age 40 of lung cancer. There has been some speculation as to whether his constant exposure to moth balls may have caused his illness. I would go over to his house and a day or two later I could still smell the moth balls on my clothes. Moth balls are safe as long as they are sealed up. It is not recommended to wear clothing exposed to moth balls unless they have been exposed to air for a day or two.

[Michael Fay]

Moth balls, in addition to causing respiratory and liver problems, are now recognized as a carcinogen. I had a friend who was a major collector and he died at age 40 of lung cancer. There has been some speculation as to whether his constant exposure to moth balls may have caused his illness. I would go over to his house and a day or two later I could still smell the moth balls on my clothes. Moth balls are safe as long as they are sealed up. It is not recommended to wear clothing exposed to moth balls unless they have been exposed to air for a day or two.

I am sorry to hear of your friend.
I know what you mean about clothes contaminated by mothballs... I want to get them off ASAP after using them and take a shower.

I am glad I made sealed room just for books (and mothballs).

This health hazard information is significant and troublesome!

I thought my liver was safe after giving up drink.

[Petr]

Yes, mothtablets-naphtalene=cancer.What i use in great success is this combination: mothpapers/like typical flypapes-sticky ones + electronic repelent from Conrad Electronic + vapourizing repelent mosquitos plus fly in one.The vapourizing repelent is for sockets , i have it programed for certain hours and I use it in months when moths are in action. Moth sticky strips are good moth indicator..
Worth to try it,as you can save a big area with small money all the year.
Cheers
Petr.

[Dr. Strangelove]

Dangerous

They will Scar you lungs and make you senseless. They are poision. And Moth's don't realy have Balls anyway. So you should not have believed in this product.