PARADICHLOROBENZENE

Paradichlorobenzene is a white solid crystal with a wet oily surface. It is volatile and gives off penetrating mothball-like odors. Paradichlorobenzene is commonly found in mothballs, moth crystals, and in diaper, toilet, and room deodorizers.

Inhalation may result in headache, swollen eyes, stuffy head, anorexia (loss of appetite), nausea, vomiting, and throat and eye irritation. With prolonged skin contact, allergies and skin irritation have been reported. Symptoms from ingestion include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, liver and kidney damage, and methemoglobianemia (which interferes with the uptake of oxygen).

The lack of convincing reports of human and animal toxicity supports the notion that paradichlorobenzene has a lower order of acute toxicity than naphthalene, which is also commonly used as a moth repellent.

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