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Insect-controlled Robot: A Mobile Robot Platform to Evaluate the Odor-tracking Capability of an Insect
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An algorithm for identifying mothball composition.

Michael J Moss1, Kevin F Maskell2,3, Michelle A Hieger2,3

  • 1a Department of Emergency Medicine , VCU Medical Center , Richmond , VA , USA.

Clinical Toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.)
|May 26, 2017
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

A simple test using water and 50% dextrose can identify toxic mothball compounds like camphor, naphthalene, and paradichlorobenzene. This aids emergency departments in quickly determining the correct treatment for ingestions.

Keywords:
Mothballscamphormoth repellentnaphthaleneparadichlorobenzene

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Area of Science:

  • Toxicology
  • Emergency Medicine
  • Analytical Chemistry

Background:

  • Unintentional mothball ingestions pose significant toxicity risks to children.
  • Identifying the specific mothball compound (camphor, naphthalene, paradichlorobenzene) is crucial as management varies.
  • Existing identification methods are outdated and impractical for emergency settings.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a simplified identification technique for mothball compounds.
  • To utilize materials readily available in emergency departments.

Main Methods:

  • Naphthalene, paradichlorobenzene, and camphor samples were tested intact and fragmented.
  • Samples were immersed in eleven different solutions, including water and varying dextrose concentrations.
  • Three toxicologists evaluated sample behavior (sink, float, dissolve) in a blinded manner.

Main Results:

  • A two-fluid algorithm using water and 50% dextrose effectively distinguished the mothball types.
  • Camphor floats in water; naphthalene and paradichlorobenzene sink.
  • Naphthalene and camphor float in 50% dextrose; paradichlorobenzene sinks.

Conclusions:

  • Mothball compounds can be differentiated using simple immersion tests in water and 50% dextrose.
  • This method offers a practical solution for emergency departments.
  • Camphor tablets were used as a substitute for mothballs due to availability limitations.