Old pesticides

The heritage sector is continuously confronted with insects. The War Heritage Institute currently applies Integrated Pest Management to monitor and control the insects that might damage our collection.

However, mothballs containing naphthalene (C₁₀H₈) were used in some of our display cases in the past. The smell of naphthalene is still present in some of our display cases and on some of the objects.

1. Naphthalene | Naphthalene is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) and occurs naturally in coal tar.

Several types of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons can cause DNA damage, which makes them highly carcinogenic. PAHs are mainly found in crude oil, coal and tar, and are formed when fossil fuels or biomass are burned. Naphthalene is the most common component of coal tar. It is also released by modern processes for high-temperature petroleum cracking.

Naphthalene was often used in the past as a moth repellent. Naphthalene thus appeared in mothballs and mothballs with naphthalene are still produced today. This is not without risks. Accidental exposure and misuse of naphthalene mothballs have already been linked to incidents of serious morbidity in children and adults. Naphthalene is very volatile and has a distinctive smell.

Exposure to naphthalene through inhalation, ingestion or skin contact poses health risks such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, fever, convulsions, coma, and can even cause death. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has also identified naphthalene as a possible human carcinogen.

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Heavy metals | Old pesticides  | Medical equipment  | Chemical warfare equipment  | Asbestos