Napathelene crystals.

[boony]

I have been using napathelene crystals for a while, and after some research I have found them to be carcinogenic. I tie in a shed out side and it smells strongly. I have treated all my materiels with the stuff, I have now binned the napathelene, but was wondering what risk to my health it has had/having.
Is there a way to remove to the smell?

John.

[wingman]

Ho boony, it really depends how long youv'e been putting yourself under those conditions, a year or so I wouldn't worry but after many years of being subjected to napathelene inhalement it could obviously have had some effect on the body which maybe detrimental to it. it can also be taken in through the skin and if youv'e handled wings etc that have been in contact with it you should always wash your hands afterwards as if you didn't you could take it in by handling food and then eating it. I've been saying for sometime that packets containing wings etc that contain napathelene crystals should come with a health warning on the packets but as yet I havn't seen any warnings at all probably because it hasn't yet been classed as a true carcinogen at least not to my knowledge.

[boony]

Thats actually a very good point wingman, I had no idea until it was mentioned somewhere on here, so therefore I decided to do some research. Would you advise washing my materiels to get rid of the stuff. I have been tying for about 3 years and using it as long. O well theres not much I can do if it has harmed me, apart from stop using it which I have now done.

John.

[dartmoor navigator]

Are mothballs carcinogenic?

[roll cast]

From my memory if you search for a post by ickypimp on the subject he has got the actual official warning label thingie

EDIT

Your are incorrect in your assertion that Naphthalene is a known carcinogen..

it currently carries a group 2B classification from the IARC.. 2B denotes POSSIBLY carcinogenic to humans..

[wingman]

I posted this a while back

The mothball situation

I think reading between the lines there is a stronger kind of mothball control substance that contains napathelene and another compound, the other compound seems to be the one that could cause the most damage to health. Mothballs etc that contain napathelene alone are stated as being a safe way of control, so the napathelene crystals may also be considered a safe way of control but there seems to be some confusion between the safer and not so safe method of control with the two getting thrown into the same boat as it were....now I'm confused

[la_jolla1]

The smell is disproportionate to the amount present. It requires levels over 30mg per liter in continuous exposure to induce mutagenicity (accumulation of mutations) in human lymphocytes (which is quite a lot). The amount of crystals needed to protect tying materials are fractions of a milligram in tiny flakes. If you have concerns, let the materials air out until the smell is gone, and then bag them individually in ziplock plastic bags for convenient and insect-proof storage. Many products when bought like CDC and whole pheasant tails have a little in the packet. Just air out and the risk is not worth thinking about. You could, of course, always tie flies wearing a lab coat, safety glasses, nitrile gloves and a respirator. My experience is that trying to tie flies in a fume hood is very difficult. The things worth doing for enhanced longevity are buckling a safety belt and not smoking, and having the appropriate alcoholic beverage when you start worrying about mothballs. Cheers!

[arkle]

As I have posted this on numerous occasions before, it still seems that very few people bother to read it. Google "safe organic insect repllent spray" & you should find well in excess of 3.10.MILLION posts about the subject.

[shpeil]

That sounds like too much effort. Gonna tell us what conclusion is reached by the 3.1M posts? And whether that is an informed, rational conclusion?

[arkle]

I've got no bias towards or against any of the products there as I've yet to try many of them. The first one worth a look might be www.pesthelp.co.uk
but doubtless there are countless others if their prices seem to high, How much is your health worth to you ?