Ever wonder what that strong smell in pesticides is? Well, that would be Paradichlorobenzene! Paradichlorobenzene is a used as a repellent to control moths and other bugs. It is a strong but colorless odor and can be found in many pesticides. It was first registered for use in the U.S. in 1942. By 2010, there were over thirty products that contained paradichlorobenzene.
Paradichlorobenzene is used in mothballs or other repellents protecting the clothing from moths. It can also be found in deodorant blocks in rest room bathrooms (toilets and trash bags). Paradichlorobenzene can go from being fairly safe to very dangerous and toxic. It is more toxic to animals and insects than it is to humans. Paradichlorobenzene is a benzene ring and it has two opposite sides on the benzene ring.
1,4-Dichlorobenzene is another name for paradichlorobenzene. It is produced by chlorination of the benzene. It can be a hazardous chemical and studies have shown that it can cause cancer in mice. It is worse for mice than it is rats. The cancer caused from paradichlorobenzene is not commonly found in humans.