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Mothballs
Household Hazardous Waste – Special Handling Required
Do not place mothballs in curbside trash or recycle bins. Drop mothballs off, free of charge, at a Transfer Station's Household Hazardous Waste site. The container must be sealed, labeled and no larger than 5 gallons.
Mothballs off-gas paradichlorobenzene which attacks the nervous system and can cause dizziness, headaches and rashes. Mothballs may also contain naphthalene, which can produce nausea, jaundice and liver and kidney damage. When storing clothes or removing them from mothballs, do it in a well-ventilated place and take care not to inhale
Whether the mothballs are loose or in their original box, wear rubber gloves to avoid getting any of the chemicals on your hands. Scoop up loose mothballs with a plastic spoon and place them in a sealed plastic bag or disposable container with a lid. Open the windows and wear a respirator to avoid breathing in the fumes.
Safer Alternatives: Try rosemary, cedar chips, cedar oil, lavender, mint and white peppercorns. Cleaning you cloths before storing will help keep them fresh, alongside shaking them out periodically.
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