do you still use moth balls? must read.

[fishin789]

I got this from a news letter that I get in my e-mail

Mothballs have been around for years. They were what every

mother used to keep the moths out of winter and summer

clothes. The mothballs would be placed in a trunk to also

keep the clothes deodorized. People used mothballs under

their sofa cushions and in drawers and closets and under

rugs. They were placed everywhere. Mothballs were the most

inexpensive deodorizer to buy, so they were purchased in

large quantities and used most frequently.

Now we find out that mothballs contain naphthalene, which

is a poison if inhaled. Mothballs can cause nausea, vomit-

ing and headache. Other signs of illness are shortness of

breath, coughing and burning eyes.

Most people use them today without realizing their side

effects. Children that have glucose problems can become

severely ill. Having clothing just removed from a storage

trunk and put on can cause the naphthalene to enter

through the skin.

Children that play in the home and reach under the sofa

can ingest one by placing a mothball in their mouth.

Caution must be taken to rid the home of every mothball

there is. Sometimes this isn't easy since there are flakes

that are usually scattered and come in tiny slivers. They

have to be vacuumed or swept up; try to contain the fumes

in the process. After removing all the mothballs and

flakes, empty the vacuum cleaner bag and discard it

immediately outdoors.

If mothballs are placed under carpet and rugs in your home,

remove the mothballs or flakes and have the carpets cleaned.

This will remove any traces of naphthalene from your carpet.

Then air out the house by opening the windows.

Make sure that all flakes are removed and that there are

not any hiding for which you forgot to remove.