Paradichlorobenzene

Mothballs contain 1,4-Dichlorobenzene, a chemical used to control moths, molds, and mildew[?], and to deodorize restrooms and waste containers. It is also called para-DCB or p-DCB. Other names include Paramoth, Para crystals, and Paracide reflecting its widespread use to kill moths.

At room temperature, p-DCB is a white solid with a strong, pungent odor. When exposed to air, it slowly sublimates from a solid to a vapor. It is the vapor that acts as a deodorizer or insect killer. Most people recognize the odor as the smell of mothballs, and can smell p-DCB in the air at very low levels. Most p-DCB in our environment comes from its use in moth repellent products and in toilet deodorizer blocks.

In air, it breaks down to harmless products in about a month. It does not dissolve easily in water, and is not easily broken down by soil organisms. It evaporates easily from water and soil, so most is found in the air. It is taken up and retained by plants and fish.

There is no evidence that moderate use of common household products that contain p-DCB will result in harmful effects to human health. Harmful effects, however, may occur from high exposures. Very high usage of p-DCB products in the home can result in dizziness, headaches, and liver problems. Some of the patients who developed these symptoms had been using the products for months or even years after they first began to feel ill.

Workers breathing high levels of p-DCB (1,000 times more than levels in deodorized rooms) have reported painful irritation of the nose and eyes. There are cases of people who have eaten p-DCB products regularly for months to years because of its sweet taste. These people had skin blotches and lower numbers of red blood cells.

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has determined that p-DCB may reasonably be anticipated to be a carcinogen. There is no direct evidence that p-DCB can cause cancer in humans. However, animals given very high levels in water developed liver and kidney tumors.

Children are exposed to p-DCB in many of the same ways that adults are. Children may be at higher risk, due to accidental exposures such as swallowing p-DCB used in the home in mothballs or toilet bowl deoderant blocks. There is very little information on how children react to p-DCB exposure, but children would probably show the same effects as adults.

No studies in people or animals show that p-DCB crosses the placenta or can be found in fetal tissues. Based on other similar chemicals, it is possible that this could occur. There is no credible evidence that p-DCB causes birth defects. One study found dichlorobenzenes in breast milk, but p-DCB has not been specifically measured.

Children should not be allowed to play with or drink toilet bowl water because it may contain p-DCB. Do not let children rub mothballs or cleaners containing p-DCB on their skin. Pesticides, bathroom deoderizers, and mothballs containg p-DCB should be stored out of reach of young children. Always store household chemicals in their original containers. Never store them in containers children would find attractive to eat or drink from, such as old soda bottles.

Tests are available to measure exposure to p-DCB. The most common test measures a breakdown product of p-DCB called 2,5-dichlorophenol in urine and blood. If there is 2,5-dichlorophenol in the urine, it indicates that the person was exposed to p-DCB within the previous day or two. The test that measures p-DCB in your blood is less common.

The EPA has set a maximum contaminant level of 75 micrograms of p-DCB per liter of drinking water (75 μg/L).

p-DCB is also an EPA-registered pesticide. Manufacturers must provide certain information to EPA for it to be used as a pesticide.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set a maximum level of 75 parts of p-DCB per million parts air in the workplace (75 ppm) for an 8-hour day, 40-hour workweek.