10 Jun 2011

Australia bans napthalene moth repellent

11:22 pm on 10 June 2011

The Australian government has banned the sale of napthalene flakes because of health concerns.

Paediatricians have been calling for a complete ban on the sale of the chemical, which is used in mothballs and moth flakes, following the death of a baby who'd been exposed to it.

Napthalene can cause brain injury or death in vulnerable babies or children.

It is sold in New Zealand.