Moth Balls

Mothballs are pesticide products, not ordinary air fresheners. CDC/ATSDR describes exposure to naphthalene from mothballs through breathing contaminated air or skin contact. Naphthalene and paradichlorobenzene have toxicologic concerns, and long-term exposure to naphthalene has been evaluated for possible cancer risk. The practical cancer pathway is chronic indoor inhalation exposure, especially when mothballs are misused outside sealed containers or used in living spaces.