Recent questions & answers about ow to find & cure plastic like odors and smells in buildings & about the effects of exposure to plastic or chemical smells or odors, set #2.

This article series discusses common odor sources, including indoor plastic odors or chemical smells observed at some installations of vinyl exterior building siding or in other plastic or vinyl building products such as windows and trim. We provide links to articles detailing possible health effects of exposure to indoor VOCs and plastic odors and smells.

FAQs: Plastic or Chemical Odors In Buildings

These questions & answers about exposure to or issues with chemical or plastic odors were posted originally at VINYL SIDING or WINDOW PLASTIC ODORS - topic home. - Be sure to check out the odor source identification and cure steps outlined there.

On 2019-01-25 by (mod) - still stumped tracking down odor in car

See if you can get help from a mechanic to trace the heating and cooling system in the car; sometimes there has been a leak at a heater coil that's up behind the dash.

Also check the engine compartment for odors when the car is hot - has been running - with engine on and again with it off.

Also see our full set of car odor articles at

BOAT & CAR SMELLS & ODORS

Windshield fogging suggests a problem in the car's heating and ventilating system. Maybe a leak there.

On 2019-01-25 by Stumped

Hi Dan, you are so expedient, much appreciated. Noticed an odor when car got hot from driving. Then the fogging, tjen blower fan replacement then worse fogging and consequently viewed off- gasses coming out on a rainy night parked under streetlamp.

Even after car was cooled down from driving the gas continued to seep out.

Car was broken into and had been tampered with.

Car had an interior air cleaning system built in. Did not come from spills or interior messiness, nor had any glue been applied inside.I really need to get down to the nitty- gritty of this it' s very bizarre?

On 2019-01-25 by (mod) - windshield fogs up and car interior smells

Stump

Thanks for the interesting report. What's unusual is for vinyl in a car interior to continue to off-gas at any noticeable level when it's an older vehicle.

I SPECULATE that someone may have tried using odorants, deodorants, or cleaners, or that ugly slimy snotty stuff that some car detailers like to smooze all over the interior vinyl to make it shiny.

Another possibility is an antifreeze leak in the car's heater.

Or a spill inside the car. (Look under the carpets).

On 2019-01-25 9 by Stumped

Interior of older car windshield fogging up no matter what I did. Increased in intensity. Had bad headaches, sleepiness(felt drugged). Under nightime street lamp visibly saw gases coming off and out of dash.

Mouth was burning, hard to breath. How could vinyl chloride seep into a car' s interior to such a severe degree? Currently not driving the poison machine. What are your thoughts? Mechanic couldn' t figure it out. Nefarious car!!

On 2019-01-05 by (mod) -

ST

Lots of new furniture will emit a chemical odor as it off-gasses from its various constituents, particularly its

- padding

- fabric

- adhesives

Depending on just what materials were used.

I can't assess the hazard of your particular chair but agree that chemical off-gassing might be harmful, depending on the chemicals involved, the level of concentration, the duration of human exposure, and the individual health susceptibility of individuals. For example asthmatics may suffer more seriously.

See PLASTIC or VINYL ODOR EXPOSURE for more on that question.

Some but not all such products will off gas and smell less over time ranging from days to months but some keep off-gassing much longer.

You can sometimes speed the process of off gassing by a combination of

- fresh air ventilation

- exposure to warmer temperatures

- exposure to sunlight

On 2019-01-05 21:58:04.524938 by (mod) - Odors from chair made in China

RE-posting reader's question with requested edits

ST said:
Bought an office chair. (... a fabric/mesh chair.)

The plastic-y mesh back smelled awful right out of the box--very strong chemical smell. The rest of the chair does not smell bad--even the polyurethane cushion has no smell.

We left it outside for a day (in freezing temps), then put it in a bathroom that vents to the outdoors with baking soda, vinegar, and a fan blowing over it. Three days later the smell is greatly reduced.

Chair was made in China. Of online reviewers, around 5% mention the smell.

A couple said it wouldn't go away so they returned the chair.

Others say it disappeared in a few days. (The chair in the showroom did not smell.) The seller advertised the chair as Greenguard and meets ANSI/BIFMA standards, but that info isn't on the box, labels, or instruction booklet, and the chair isn't listed on the Greenguard site.

I think those claims are made up. (Chair does have tag saying no added flame retardants.) The company's chat person claimed the chair was guaranteed low VOC emissions, but was unable to provide any specifics. It doesn't seem to me that is possible.

Should I return the chair? Is it unsafe for me to keep sniffing it? If the company says they'll send a new chair part that doesn't smell, is that a good idea?

If the odor drops to something I can no longer notice, is there still a possible danger? Any office chair I buy will have plastic and polyurethane in it.

(This was a very strong odor, though, and I've been checking reviews of other chairs--complaints of chemical smells seem to be rare.) I would like to buy a low-VOC emissions chair, but there don't seem to be many out there.

I am concerned about paying a lot for something that might expose me to dangerous chemicals, and which I would be reluctant to junk.

At this point I can return it for a full refund. All advice is welcome.

Many thanks! (Feel free to delete the brand and model of the chair after you have read this question.)

On 2018-12-09 12:33:17.475202 by (mod) -

What you describe is not a problem that I have heard of or read about.

Fortunately the solution sounds pretty easy in this case since you can simply got a large garbage bag, put the lampshade in it, and throw it away.

On 2018-12-06 18:01:03.354534 by skiiiboat@hotmail.com

Just removed plastic wrap on lamp shade that was left wrapped for years , when took off it produced a powerful toxin , did not realize it was the actual shade !! Just thought it was residue dust , anywhere I put shade the air would feel like toxic dust partials. Anyone know about this ?

On 2017-11-08 17:11:12.584865 by jw

Plastic bins being used as shelf sitting on heater could cause plastic smell and eye irritation?

On 2017-10-04 14:00:27.873399 by Marv Book

We recently had Anderson series 400 windows installed in our house approximately 1 year ago.

We were told they were wooden windows but it turns out the sash is made of vinyl and has a pretty strong odor still one year later. Is there anything that can be done to either seal or eliminate this problem?

On 2017-09-15 02:06:54.557184 by (mod) -

I think I would try some vinegar followed by soapy water

On 2017-09-15 00:15:32.387048 by Melanie Collins

New shower seal emits an old rotten onion smell. Is there anything that I can wipe it down with without ruining it. It is a year old, but I have found some of the unused seal and it is terrible too. melaniemmc@yahoo.com

On 2017-07-08 14:05:32.899954 by (mod) -

Jean

You need to take him to your doctor or to the emergency room.

On 2017-07-08 00:02:20.264504 by Jean L.

Husband inhaled vinyl fumes and dust. Now has a temperature and hard to breath.Help!

On 2017-07-08 by (mod) Husband inhaled vinyl fumes and dust. Now has a temperature and hard to breath.

Jean

You need to take him to your doctor or to the emergency room.

On 2017-07-08 by Jean L.

Husband inhaled vinyl fumes and dust. Now has a temperature and hard to breath. Help!

On 2017-02-14 by (mod) overwhelming smell from vinyl windows in our Florida room

Unfortunately SOME plastics continue to offgas for a very long time. Heat and ventilation can speed the process. Can you leave the windows open and add some fans to increase air circulation?

On 2017-02-14 by Charlie

We had new vinyl windows installed in our Florida room over 1yr. ago and the smell is still overwhelming. When the windows are closed (Which is every night) the smell in the morning is atrocious. We're concerned that this may be a health risk. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

On 2017-02-03 by Cati

Hello, I live in a split level home and recently I began to smell a strange odor. It smells like some type of chemical, its not over powering, and no one really seems to notice it much except me, it sets off my migraines so I easily pick it up. Its not in any one area or all over the house. I can't pin point the type of odor except to say it Snell's like a vhemical. Help?

On 2016-11-27 by den

Replacement Windows dec.15. Spring warming started odor south side. By July north side Windows also smells like kerosene

On 2016-11-09 by (mod) re: company says plastic odors from their products is not an issue

Anon:

OPINION: Off-gassing from vinyl or plastic window screens isn't a problem for the company rep who does not live in your house; in my OPINION companies are scared to say that they've had complaints about a product, even if they have, because of the worry about inviting litigation or disputes. Unfortunately that litigious worry is well-founded and it can keep consumers from having good access to sound information.

The actual health hazard of offgassing from a plastic window screen remains to be measured: the hazard would depend on what VOCs are off-gassing into your home, the air-concentration level of them, the duration of exposure of the building occupants to the VOCs, and as well, variations in the individual health risks of building occupants.

Improving the house fresh-air can reduce odors and possible risks and may be cheaper than trying to have a scientific study of the level of hazard performed in your home. Look at air-to-air heat exchanger positive ventilation systems.

See https://inspectapedia.com/BestPractices/Balanced_Ventilation_Systems.php - VENTILATION, BALANCED and other venting options in that article series.

Here is some US EPA information about possible plastic window screen off-gas hazards: https://inspectapedia.com/sickhouse/Vinyl_Chloride_EPA_Info.php
Note: Vinyl chloride, again depending on exposure, is a carcinogen (ATSDR 2006)

More research citations on chemical exposures from plastics

• Burk, Tonia, and Gregory Zarus. "Community Exposures to Chemicals through Vapor Intrusion: A Review of Past ATSDR Public Health Evaluations." Journal of environmental health 75, no. 9 (2013): 36.
• DeMatteo, Robert, Margaret M. Keith, James T. Brophy, Anne Wordsworth, Andrew E. Watterson, Matthias Beck, Anne Rochon et al. "Chemical exposures of women workers in the plastics industry with particular reference to breast cancer and reproductive hazards." NEW SOLUTIONS: A Journal of Environmental and Occupational Health Policy 22, no. 4 (2013): 427-448.
• Hinderer, R. K., and M. M. Hirschler. "Update on smoke toxicity of vinyl compounds." Journal of Vinyl Technology 11, no. 2 (1989): 50-58.

On 2016-11-08 by Anonymous

We've had window screen fumes from the screens for msny years. When I called the company I was told it wasn't an issue and they never had complaints. Is it a health issue issue!?

On 2016-08-16 by Dan

Hi,

In early June 2016 we had 4 Marvin Integrity Windows put in. They are made of wood and fiberglass. Not sure if the fiberglass has an acrylic capstock, its mention on the web in places.

We noticed a chemical smell in the 2 bedrooms they were put in. The side facing the south and the sun is the strongest, is also a slightly smaller room. The smell is worse on hot, sunny days.

Its been 2 1/2 months and its still smell. I've been trying to deal with the window people but they have never heard of the issue and Marvin says its just a new smell, no harmful VOC.

Any advice? Wash them in clorox? Remove them? I've been patient waiting for them to gas off but I fear they're not going. The smaller room will be a nursery soon. I appreciate any advice!

Thanks,

Dan

On 2016-08-02 by Anonymous

You might try spraying with a lacquer primer sealer, then painting.

On 2016-08-02 by Tammy

I bought some mid century tub chairs made from molded plastic - I absolutely love the look of the chairs but I can't use them because they stink of BO.

The surface is scuffed and it is hard to tell if someone has tried to paint them or the plastic itself is deteriorating (I can provide pics). I'm wondering if the smell is from the plastic breaking down and if so is this fixable? Is there a way to safely re-seal them? Is the odor likely to be harmful?

On 2016-07-21 by (mod) re: sensitivity to odors varies

Not everyone has the same sense of smell, nor is an installer without his or her own conflicting interests.

Some plastics offgas when new, then calm down, while others remain a persistent odor source; if the latter, unfortunately the solution is usually replacement.

On 2016-07-20 by Tony

Recently had upvc interior boarding fitted to underside of our South facing glass roofed conservatory.

After 3-4 weeks , and hot weather, there is a strong plastic smell during daytime. Installer inspected, could not detect smell!, but we are not given to imagining it. Has anyone else experienced this and if so is there any known cure or will it go with time?

Question: Trace down [chemical plastic] odors from roof on hot summer days

I had a new roof and gutter system installed a year and a half ago. Most of the roof is asphalt single and a section of the roof is torch on. On hot summer days in the evening when the weather cools down a tar type odor appears in the front of the house. This is where most of the torch on resides.

A new gutter system was also installed at the same time in that same area - it is u-shaped and the corners are sealed with what appears to be a white caulking.

This odor has been ongoing since the roof/gutter system was installed and wasn't present before the installation. No one can figure out what this is happening. Any ideas? - Carmine M.

Reply:

Carmine we wouldn't expect a torch-down roof system to smell like plastic but you might indeed smell bituminous product VOC outgassing from flashings, flashing cement, or the runout or even the bituminous material itself, such as modified bitumen roofing material.

If the odor is plastic-like, I wonder if you've installed vinyl or plastic gutters and leaders?

If the odor is from roofing materials themselves (other than plastic roofing, that is) the outgassing should diminish as the roof system cures in sun over the summer.

If the odor is coming from plastic or vinyl building materials, sometimes those sources can be quite long lasting.

Question: Chemical plastic odor from plastic pet door

How can I eliminate the chemical odor coming from our new Pet SAFE dog door?

I've tried vinegar and water and soap. It seems to be the plastic flaps. Our dog won't even use it!!! Please advise. Thank you. - Anonymous by private email 2016/07/05

Reply:

I would replace the door; some plastics emit odors but the odor emission rate declines rapidly while others, depending on the chemical composition, are persistent.

Question: Mysterious plastic related odor when sun hits side of home, headaches, nausea

We are trying to sort out a mysterious odor that we think is "plastic related", but not sure. A strong industrial-plastic like smell only
noticeable when sun bearing down on southwest side of home, enough to give us a headache and nausea, occasionally.

Lasts only about 90 minutes when at peak.

Localized to one room with interior wall about 18 ft from exterior wall. No where else in house. We think it might be window shades, but hard to believe as odor seems to disappear when blinds are up (recent revelation).

We had oil tank removed nearby room about 24 months w/professional contractor with negative soil samples. No oil smell detected ever. Also, localized mold remediation project adjacent room and professionally cleaned up. Need some help?? - Tom

Reply: things to check as sources of plastic odors

Tom

We have had quite a few cases in which plastic odors in buildings were traced to a material that was being heated by the sun (or by other heat sources). Your linking of the odor to sun exposure and time of day is a helpful clue in this regard.

Some components reported to give strong plastic odor outgassing when heated (including just by sun exposure) include

Plastic framed window sashes and jambs

Plastic window screens

Plastic interior window shades

Some vinyl siding and trim products

Plastic interior or exterior trim

Heating oil smell is for most people very distinctively different from plastic odors.

Try removing the suspect window shades for a week and let us know what you find. What you learn will help other readers.

Question: Comment on wet plastic odors

Everyone is worried about the smell of the windows in the sun, but they should also be concerned about what vinyl windows smell like when it is damp: you shower, run your stove, etc.

Plastic smells when it is wet!! I have double glazed vinyl windows that were installed in a 1950's walk up (in the past 5 years before I moved in).

Everything in this apartment is old - the outside is 1950's stucco (not painted for years), the inside is lathe & plaster (painted with no VOC paint).

The floors are the original strip oak floors. We have only wood furniture, cotton futon couch, a 40 year old stove, and a very expensive (not smelly) small fridge that we located well away from the windows.

And yet the B.O. smell coming from these windows fills up the apartment, due to any MOISTURE that accumulates on them, even in the summer. It is especially bad right now since it is in the minus temps, ie. when you wake up there is moisture all over the windows.

As soon as you wipe off the moisture, run a dehumidifier, open the window, and pump up the heat - the smell goes away.

Everyone else in our building uses excessive amounts of cheap perfume to cover this up.

But I think people should be aware before installing that this could happen to you. Everyone who has visited our apt has commented on it.

And ironically enough, these windows don't smell in hot summer (but then again we don't get direct sunlight on them). They are great windows for keeping clean, and blocking out sound. But yes, they are smelly, 24-7. - Molly

Reply:

Thanks for the comment, Molly. We have not had reports nor tracked down plastic odors to wet conditions. I'd look carefully to be sure there are not other water or leak related odor sources including some molds that can produce odd smells in buildings.

Question: Metallic odor from window screens - what is that odor?

I moved into an apartment and removed the window screens for cleaning, which I did with dish soap and warm water in the tub.

Afterwards, however, they emitted a metallic odor, without stop. I tried encasing them in huge plastic bags to contain the smell, with limited success. What on earth is this smell? - Mark W. Sherman 12/12/2011

P.S. The screens themselves are not metallic -- the material is more loose or flexible to the touch than that.

Reply:

Mark:

There are several plastic mesh materials used in window screens that produce plastic like odors when they are heated by the sun or by heat from other sources.

The odor appears to depend on the chemical composition of the particular batch of screening produced by some manufacturers.

Reports to us by readers suggest that these odors may be persistent in hot sunny conditions even years after the screens were installed. If you track the odor to that source and it's bothersome you may want to try replacing the screen material.

Question: what is the remedy for chemical odors from HVAC ducts

what is the remedy for ducts that emit a strong chemical odor when the heat first comes on? Also notice it when coming in from outside even after it's been on awhile. Or maybe it's the blown-in cellulose insulation? - Susan 12/23/11

Reply:

Susan: re "odors when heat first comes on" there are several possible explanations, including flue gases that leak out of a draft regulator before a good draft is established, leaks into the ductwork that produce odors that later are diluted by circulating air, or some other source.

Blown in cellulose insulation does not usually continue to emit odors after installation, and from the information in your question alone, we haven't got data suggesting that somehow odors from building insulation (say contaminated by something) would be picked up by the HVAC system.

Question: Metallic smell in new apartment kitchen in old building - fresh paint? Sun exposure?

We noticed in the fall a distinctly "metallic" smell in our new apartment, specifically the kitchen.

This is an old building but the apartment was painted and new flooring installed before we moved in. There were some plumbing issues that we attributed to the smell, as it went away after the plumbing was fixed. However, we are now thinking the plumbing had nothing to do with it and it was just timing.

We had no smell ALL winter, but now it is back on warmer days (above 15 degrees C) and if the sun is out. It is only in our kitchen, which gets the sunlight throughout the day.

I have checked all appliances and the exhaust fan, as well as the sink, and cannot pinpoint the smell to anything other than that room. I'm beginning to think it is related to sun/temp. We have blinds that are always up, and windows that are less than 5 years old.

It is a brick building. I have no idea what it could be but it is a terrible smell, and worse - the landlords believe it is our fault and are nagging us to clean it up.

Our apartment is clean, i have scrubbed every possible surface in an attempt to get rid of the odor

. It is not something we are causing, it must be related to the building somehow. Help! - Jamie 4/14/2012

Reply:

Jamie,

Use a helper who has a good sense of smell and see if she agrees that sun is warming the windows or window screens causing an outgassing from the plastic. Keep us posted.

Question: smell from plastic bags?

We have a constant chemical smell in our home. It is really noticeable when I leave the house, the smell is on my hair and clothing. It seems to attach it self strongly to plastic bags. We live on a golf course, could tat have something to do with it? - Jules 6/3/12

Reply:

Four months ago, a vinyl floor covering was installed in my computer room and bedroom. IN those two rooms, the smell is very plastic chemical smelling. Not everyone can smell it but I can.. When there is heat in those two rooms, the smell intensifies.

My throat is constantly feeling as though it is burning, my lips, my tongue, the membranes of my nose burn and are so dry. my chest feels weighted down.

I have washed the floor with every imaginable solution that has been suggested of found on internet. I have air purifiers running, the one in the computer room has a 3 light indicator,states the degree of odor present, when there is an odour present. Short of removing the flooring I don't know what to do.

Question: vinyl floor covering smells very plastic chemical, burning lips, tongue, throat

Four months ago, a vinyl floor covering was installed in my computer room and bedroom. IN those two rooms, the smell is very plastic chemical smelling. Not everyone can smell it but I can.

When there is heat in those two rooms, the smell intensifies.

My throat is constantly feeling as though it is burning, my lips, my tongue, the membranes of my nose burn and are so dry. my chest feels weighted down. I have washed the floor with every imaginable solution that has been suggested of found on internet.

I have air purifiers running, the one in the computer room has a 3 light indicator,states the degree of odor present, when there is an odour present. Short of removing the flooring I don't know what to do. - Edith 6/10/12

Reply:

Edith:

Portable "air purifiers" are an ineffective band-aid for a persistent contaminant - the effective approach is to find and remove or correct the source of the trouble.

If you're sure the odor source is the floor, you'd suspect either an adhesive that was used and is releasing VOCs, or the vinyl itself. Usually a combination of heat, passage of time, and fresh air ventilation cure that problem.

If not, one might wonder if the particular flooring you installed might have to be removed and replaced. Weather permitting, start by improving fresh air ventilation in the area.

...

Continue reading at VINYL SIDING or WINDOW PLASTIC ODORS - topic home, or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see CHEMICAL or PLASTIC ODOR FAQs-3 - more-recent questions & answers about plastic or chemical odors in or around building s.

Or see these

Chemical & Plastic Odor Diagnosis Articles

• ODORS GASES SMELLS, DIAGNOSIS & CURE - home
  • CHEMICAL ODOR SOURCES
  • ODOR DIAGNOSIS SIX STEPS
  • ODOR EVENT LOG & CHECKLIST FORM [PDF] - Use this form to collect data to help track an odor to its source
  • ODOR EVENT / SOURCE LOCALIZATION LOG
  • ODORS, SULPHUR SMELL SOURCES
  • PLASTIC or VINYL ODOR EXPOSURE
  • SMELL PATCH TEST to FIND ODOR SOURCE
  • VINYL SIDING or WINDOW PLASTIC ODORS
  • VOCs VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS

Suggested citation for this web page

CHEMICAL or PLASTIC ODOR FAQs2 at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

Or see this

INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to BUILDING ODOR DIAGNOSIS & CURE

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