Is it safe to use mothballs in a closet?
Yes in enclosed spaces. Ventilate well after using cleaning products or bringing in new furniture.
What's actually in it
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are chemicals that evaporate at room temperature. They're released from paints, cleaning products, new furniture, air fresheners, and synthetic textiles.
Indoor air is often 2 to 5 times more polluted than outdoor air because of trapped VOC emissions. Some VOCs are carcinogens.
What the research says
A 2026 study in reprod toxicol looked at chemical exposure from everyday products and found: Co-exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics and hexachlorocyclohexane induces enhanced human sperm toxicity in vitro..
Liu P(1), Wang D(2), Zeng Y(3), Wang H(1), Wan F(1), Wu J(1), Huang Y(1), Zeng.
The research at a glance
| Study | Journal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Co-exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics and hexachlorocyclohexane induces enhanced human sperm toxicity in vitro. | Reprod Toxicol | 2026 |
What to use instead
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