Mothball

High school (ages 12+)
Making & Design

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/mothball

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the active chemical agents?Naphthalene and paradichlorobenzene (PDCB)
2. What is the health and environmental concerns?Potential toxicity to humans and pets; environmental persistence if improperly disposed of
3. What are mothballs?Mothballs are tiny balls that release a special gas to keep bugs away from clothes. They usually contain chemicals called naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene. The gas makes it hard for moths and beetles to survive inside a closet.
4. How do mothballs protect my sweaters?When mothballs are in a closed space, they slowly turn from solid to gas. The gas spreads through the air and stops insect larvae from eating wool, silk, or fur.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH): A group of chemicals that are formed during the burning of coal, oil, gas, wood, garbage, or other organic substances.
Chlorinated Aromatic Hydrocarbon: Organic compounds containing chlorine atoms attached to an aromatic ring.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM): A sustainable approach to managing pests by combining biological, cultural, physical, and chemical tools.