Reference summary — not medical advice or a personal risk estimate.
Mothballs
Solid pesticide balls placed in stored fabrics. Contain naphthalene (IARC 2B) or 1,4-dichlorobenzene (IARC 2B).
Also known as: naphthalene, paradichlorobenzene
What this does NOT mean
Finding a factor documented in this product category does not establish that ordinary use of mothballs causes cancer. It means research — through regulatory testing, recall records, or IARC review — has found that chemical present in this category. Whether it matters for you depends on formulation, dose, frequency, and route of exposure.
What has been documented
- para-DichlorobenzeneIARC Group 2BIARC Group 2BContains · high confidence
Alternative mothball chemistry uses PDCB; both are IARC Group 2B.
Evidence source: EPA CPDat
- NaphthaleneIARC Group 2BIARC Group 2BContains · high confidence
Naphthalene is the classic active ingredient in mothballs.
Evidence source: EPA CPDat
How to read this page
A factor appearing on this page means it has been documented in this product category — through EPA / FDA testing, IARC monographs, or regulatory recall records. Whether it presents a meaningful personal risk depends on the specific formulation, dose, and how you're exposed. Click any factor to read what science actually says about it, and where.