Product safety reportOPSS
Bird Naphthalene Mothballs safety warning over harmful chemicals
Product Safety Report for Bird Naphthalene Mothballs presenting a serious chemical risk.
Product image from the OPSS safety notice
Check your product
Only products that match these details are covered. Have your pack in front of you.
2 identifiers listed for this notice.
Bird Naphthalene Mothballs
- BarcodeThe long number printed under the barcode.
- 6034000262537
- Batch codePrinted on the pack, often next to the date mark. It may start with L or LOT.
- 20200401
What to do now
The problem with Bird Naphthalene Mothballs is chemical: it contains something that should not be there at that level.
- Take it away from children now and stop using it.
- Wash your hands after handling it.
- The marketplace has removed the listing. Contact the seller through your order history to ask for a refund.
- Report it to Trading Standards through the Citizens Advice consumer service if the seller does not respond.
Why it matters. Limits on substances such as lead, cadmium, phthalates and formaldehyde exist because of their effects on health over time. Children are more exposed because they chew and handle products.
If someone has been hurt
Look out for
- skin redness, itching or a rash where it touched
Get help urgently
- if a child has chewed or swallowed part of it and is unwell, contact NHS 111 or your GP
This is general information based on NHS public guidance, not medical advice. In an emergency call 999. For urgent advice use NHS 111 (NHS 24 on 111 in Scotland) or, in Northern Ireland, your GP or out-of-hours service.
Getting your money back
Sellers on online marketplaces do not always run recalls themselves, so you may need to ask for your money back. The platform’s help pages explain its buyer protection scheme.
Citizens Advice (0808 223 1133), Advice Direct Scotland (0808 164 6000) and Consumerline (0300 123 6262) give free advice if you get stuck.
From the official notice
Published by the Office for Product Safety and Standards (2302-0056). Quoted as issued.
Summary
Product Safety Report for Bird Naphthalene Mothballs presenting a serious chemical risk.
The risk
The product presents a serious chemical risk as it contains naphthalene (stated as 99.494%), which is a banned, carcinogenic substance. Ingestion or inhalation of the chemical can cause irreversible damage to internal organs.
Further information regarding naphthalene can be found via this link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/naphthalene-properties-incident-management-and-toxicology/naphthalene-general-information
The product does not meet the requirements of the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation & restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Enforcement Regulations 2008.
Action taken
Destruction of the product
Advice to consumers
Destruction of the product
Additional information
PSD case number: 2302-0056
Notified by: Local Authority Trading Standards
Product description
Clear bag with bird having the appearance of an eagle and American flag, containing small white balls
Open the OPSS notice
Questions
Why has Bird Naphthalene Mothballs been reported?
The problem with Bird Naphthalene Mothballs is chemical: it contains something that should not be there at that level. Limits on substances such as lead, cadmium, phthalates and formaldehyde exist because of their effects on health over time. Children are more exposed because they chew and handle products.
How do I know if my product is affected?
Compare the barcode and batch code on your product with the details listed under “Check your product” on this page. Only items that match are covered by the notice.
What should I do now?
Take it away from children now and stop using it. Wash your hands after handling it.
Can I get a refund or a repair?
Sellers on online marketplaces do not always run recalls themselves, so you may need to ask for your money back. The platform’s help pages explain its buyer protection scheme. Citizens Advice (0808 223 1133), Advice Direct Scotland (0808 164 6000) and Consumerline (0300 123 6262) give free advice if you get stuck.
