Approximately 4,800 bags containing moth balls resembling candy were found by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in a New Jersey warehouse. The illegal pesticides, which are not registered with the EPA, were imported by a Brooklyn-based company from China.
The EPA is asking consumers who may have purchased the bright packaging, labeled Fuji Lavender Moth Tablets, to contact the EPA so that the products can be disposed of properly.
“Importing pesticide products that are not registered with EPA is a serious violation,“ said EPA regional administrator Judith Enck in a statement by the agency. ”The registration process ensures that we know what pesticides are in the products, and that they have labels with directions for proper use. Mothballs sold in colorful packaging that resemble candy pose a particular risk to children.”
The EPA says it suspects the mothballs contain a chemical called para-dichlorobenzene, which can cause a number of illnesses including respiratory distress, vomiting, and diarrhea.
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