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Enos Para Mothballs at InspectApedia.comMothball Odor Test Procedures
Tests for off-gassing or odors of mothballs: naphthalene or p-dichlorobenzene

Mothball or naphthalene odor or gas test procedures & devices.

This article series explains the detection of and risks of exposure to mothball chemicals & odors when moth repellent products are applied indoors in buildings.

We note the possible health hazards from exposure to mothball odors (and gases) as well as the child hazard of eating mothballs or moth repellent products. We discuss methods to reduce mothball chemical & gas exposure.

Page top photo, courtesy of Wikipedia commons, shows a cluster mothballs, or a solid form of naphthalene.

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Test for Naphthalene, Moth Flakes, Mothball Offgassing Level

Enoz moth flakes cited & discussed at InspectApedia.com

Here we list various types of tests that can be used to detect mothball or moth flakes odors & offgassing, including research on the effectiveness or use of these tests.

Tests for Detection of Naphthalene or p-dichlorobenzene in air or to distinguish between the two substances

Draeger gas detection tube for Napthalene - cited & discussed at InspectApedia.com

Question: movers applied mothballs to furniture in storage: now it stinks and is a health hazard

Enoz moth flakes cited & discussed at InspectApedia.comWe moved and had furniture in storage. The movers applied mothballs to the furniture and now it stinks and has a health risk.

Are you aware of any test kits or labs that would allow us to test if any residual mothball vapors or pesticide are on the furniture? Thanks

Our moving company applied enoz moth crystals to our rugs and couches. I believe this is paradebentiol (spelling?) rather then naphthalene.

The goods sat in storage and then in our home for a few days. I understand the fume risk will dissipate.

I want a way to test if there is any residue left on the fabric after the smell goes away. Do any tests exist for that? Thank you

- Anonymous by private email 2022/08/23

Moderator reply: various methods to test for naphthalene or similar gases, but probably not cost-justified

Enoz is a U.S. manufacturer of moth flakes, a product that can be safe and effective when used as directed. The company contact information is given below.

Watch out: My OPINION is that moth flakes, because of their much-greater surface area per ounce of material than mothballs, can be quite strong in effect depending on the quantity applied onto a surface or in an area. For that reason, one needs to follow the company's instructions that state:

The moth flakes in this container can treat up to 43.7 cubic feet. Liberally sprinkle moth flakes on the bottom of storage space or container, between folds and layers of articles and an extra amount on top before closing container. See product label for additional information.

Mothballs, moth flakes, crystals and bars are insecticides. They come in a solid form that slowly gives off a vapor that kills moths, moth eggs and their larvae. They are meant to be used in closed, airtight containers so that the vapors they produce are trapped.

Always follow label instructions and take steps to avoid exposure. If any exposures occur, be sure to follow the First Aid instructions on the product label carefully.

I'm not aware of any mothball odor "test kits" but there is a wide range of equipment including gas detection tubes and pumps or other devices that can check for naphtha, the prime constituent of mothballs and that you smell. Please help me to understand what problem we're solving here.

If you smell mothballs - which is pretty unambiguous - then you know that naphtha is present at an irritating level.

Detectors used for identification and quantification of naphthalene and methylnaphthalenes include the flame ionization detector (FID), photoionization detector (PID), ultraviolet detection (UV), Fourier transform infrared detection (FTIR), and fluorescence detection (FD). Mass spectrometry is used for confirmation.

The offgassing of moth flakes or mothball odors can take quite some time to dissipate depending on the chemistry of the absorbing materials.

This web page now contains - as a result of your question - among its reference citations, research on testing procedures. I use a simple gas tube sensor from Draeger.

I'm unclear on the need for testing. Why wouldn't smelling be enough? It's true that lower levels of offgassing may continue after the point that you don't smell the odor, but what question are we answering by testing? At what cost?

OTOH if the materials are not successfully offgassing you'll know it as they'll still smell, especially when kept in a small, enclosed space without fresh air ventilation. That might be a useful test.

The distinction between naphthalene and paradichlorobenzene is given by Winkler (1985), cited

at DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PARADICHLOROBENZENE & NAPHTHALENE MOTHBALLS in the page above.

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Reader Comments, Questions & Answers About The Article Above

Below you will find questions and answers previously posted on this page at its page bottom reader comment box.

Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

On 2021-01-10 - by (mod) - trouble getting mothball smell out of carpet

Jake,

If the carpet is valuable, you might try having it temporarily removed for professional cleaning and you might replace the padding below.

You should also be sure to do a smell patch test as we described in this article series so that you're confident that the carpet or its padding are the actual odor source and not other building surfaces or contents.

On 2021-01-09 by Jake

I can’t get mothball smell out of carpet. I think the odor is trapped under the pad. I’ve tried ventilation, heat, vacuums and steam cleaning.

The smell always returns.

Should I have the carpet replaced? The sunlight can’t reach that part of carpet.


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Continue reading  at SMELL PATCH TEST to FIND ODOR SOURCE or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

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NAPTHALENE / PARABENTIOL OFF-GAS TESTING at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.


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