Mothballs swap to Natural cedar

Why make the swap

• Why switch to natural cedar

  Cedar is untreated wood with a scent long used to deter moths, and it gives off no naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene. Paired with clean clothes and sealed storage, it keeps closets fresh.

• What's the concern with mothballs

  Mothballs are solid pesticide (naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene) that slowly turns to vapor. The US National Toxicology Program lists both as reasonably anticipated to cause cancer, based on animal studies.

• General information, not medical or veterinary advice. Ask your doctor, or your vet if a pet could be exposed.

• Good to know before you buy

  Store clothes clean in sealed bins, and lightly sand the cedar every few months to refresh the scent.

• Sources (4)

  1. EPA-registered naphthalene mothball label: 'May be fatal if inhaled'; use only in airtight containers (opens in a new tab)
  2. NTP: naphthalene is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen (animal studies) (opens in a new tab)
  3. 953 US adults: highest blood paradichlorobenzene (a mothball chemical) linked to lower lung function (Elliott 2006) (opens in a new tab)
  4. NTP: 1,4-dichlorobenzene (paradichlorobenzene) is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen (animal studies) (opens in a new tab)

  Health and safety facts on this page come from these sources. What a pick is made of comes from its maker's listing or website, as stated on the date we checked.