Download FREE Practo app
Get ₹200 HealthCash
Nepthalene ball vapour ingestion
We have under the sink water purifier. To control the cockroaches, i kept nepthalene balls in the unit near the water purifier. Nepthalene balls were there for a week near water purifier. We started smelling and tasting nepthalene in our purified water. I removed the nepthalene balls. We used this water for a week. I have 6 year old daughter who drank the same water everyday for a week. Do I need to be worried.
Do I need to get her checked.
Did some research in gemini ai, and I am very scared to know that they are toxic
Answers (11)
Get your queries answered instantly with Care AI FREE
20000+ health queries resolved in last month
I can understand why you’re worried, especially after reading about naphthalene toxicity online. The internet tends to show the worst-case scenarios.
The good news is that what you’ve described is very unlikely to cause serious poisoning, particularly if your daughter is completely well after a week of drinking the water.
Naphthalene is indeed toxic, but almost all severe cases in children occur when they accidentally ingest mothballs directly (eat or suck on them), not from trace environmental exposure. Even though you could smell or taste it in the water, that doesn’t necessarily mean that toxic amounts were present.
If significant naphthalene toxicity had occurred, children usually develop symptoms such as:
* Vomiting or abdominal pain
* Unusual tiredness or lethargy
* Yellow discoloration of the eyes or skin (jaundice)
* Dark or cola-colored urine
* Pale appearance due to anemia
* Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Next Steps
Since your daughter has been drinking the water for a week, the most important question is: How is she today?
* Playing normally?
* Eating and drinking well?
* No vomiting?
* No yellow eyes or dark urine?
* Normal activity levels?
If the answer is yes, that is extremely reassuring.
I would immediately stop using the purifier water until the entire unit and storage tank have been flushed thoroughly and the odor has completely disappeared. Use an alternative water source for now.
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Didn't find the answer you are looking for?
Talk to experienced orthopedist online and get your health questions answered in just 5 minutes.
+163
Naphthalene balls are toxic…even though child is stable you should visit pediatrician once and get checked.
Answered
Flag this answer
1/1 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
It's toxic.consult to Pediatrician immediately
Answered
Flag this answer
1/1 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
It's been already 6 days so at present no symptoms means then nothing to worry
Answered
Flag this answer
1/1 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
The fact that you could smell or taste naphthalene suggests some vapour may have been present, but serious poisoning from this type of indirect exposure is unlikely, especially if your daughter has remained well throughout the week.
Since you have already removed the naphthalene balls, stop using that water for now. Flush the purifier thoroughly and replace the filters if the manufacturer recommends it. Use a fresh water source until the smell and taste have completely disappeared.
If your 6-year-old has no symptoms (vomiting, abdominal pain, excessive sleepiness, yellowing of the eyes/skin, dark urine, or difficulty breathing), she does not require routine blood tests or an emergency check-up. Simply observe her over the next 24–48 hours.
Seek medical attention immediately if she develops persistent vomiting, yellow eyes, dark urine, unusual tiredness, or pallor, as these can rarely indicate red blood cell breakdown (hemolysis), particularly in children with G6PD deficiency.
Overall, based on your description, the risk of significant toxicity is low, and serious delayed effects are not expected once the exposure has stopped.
Answered
Flag this answer
1/1 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Hello
If the child is active with no symptoms you can be reassured..but you need to be vigilant if child has vomiting, complains of pain abdomen, child is drowsy or extremely irritable you need to consult immediately..
Answered
Flag this answer
1/1 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Napthalene is toxic ... it can cause immediate gastrointestinal , neurological , blood related symptoms... if you all are without symptoms least you need some concerned investigations .... consult some physician , pediatrician
Answered
Flag this answer
1/1 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Dr. Tangade Vishal Bhanudas
Pediatrician
4 yrs exp
Pune
Visit physically to nearby pediatrician.
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Dr. L Sreepriya
Pediatrician
25 yrs exp
Kasargod
If naphthalene no balls are consumed directly it can cause neurological problems.consuming water which had balls in it may less likely to cause symptoms
Answered
Flag this answer
Let others know if this answer was helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Dr. BT Vignesh
Neonatologist
7 yrs exp
Hosur
Any ingestion of foreign substance would cause reaction in 6-12 hour.
If the child is fine and no any symptoms then nothing to worry.
Answered
Flag this answer
1/1 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Dr. Sachin Pariskar
Pediatrician
9 yrs exp
Pune
If child is having any signs symptoms then kindly show once physically to nearby pediatrician
Answered
Flag this answer
2/2 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
YES
NO
Articles you may like
Disclaimer : The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
The question asked on this page is a free question. You can ask a free health question by downloading the Practo app.
Articles you may like
Tell us what's troubling you
Tell us what's troubling you
Disclaimer : The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.