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.

Q&A on Cause & Cure of Plastic or Chemical Odors In Buildings-#3

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) - how to track down the source of car odors

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 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) - car windshield fogs up and there are antifreeze odors

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 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 2018-12-06 by (mod) - when I close the windows at night, a chemical smell

At the ARTICLE INDEX links at the end of this page please check the live link for this article title

VINYL SIDING or WINDOW PLASTIC ODORS

On 2018-12-05 by Diane

I have a sunroom. Sometimes when I close the windows at night, a chemical smell (formaldehyde maybe, but I am not sure) is quite strong the next day.

I open the windows to get the odor out, but I am wondering if the odor is dangerous. How can I find someone to test for dangerous chemicals?

On 2018-01-31 by (mod) - when do plastic or vinyl products emit a smell?

Susie,

I cannot offer a certain diagnosis without on-site inspection and test work, but a reasonable guess of the odor problem that you described is Off-gassing just as you suspect from plastic or vinyl window components.

That tends to be more noticeable when the plastic is warmed for example by direct sunlight, and of course when there is less fresh air ventilation you will notice the smell more acutely. Some Plastic Products go off gas and stop smelling after days or weeks While others seem to continue for years.

I suspect it has to do with the chemical formulation of plastic and of course the process used by its fabricator. It would be swell if you can find out the brand and model of your windows and perhaps we can also determine where they were manufactured.

On 2018-01-30 by susie - odor traced to "Weather Lite" vinyl windows with screens

Last summer I had new "Weather Lite" vinyl windows with screens installed on porch. I had the windows open all summer and just the screens down, everything was fine.

This fall I closed the windows. When the sun hits and the windows are closed the toxic smell is horrible. The smell is so noxious that I had to open one of the windows. Well its supposed to be a 3 season room so keeping the window open is no good. I'm told the frames are aluminum with vinyl covering and the window panes are clear vinyl.

What is the cause of the odor when the sun hits it? Please help! Thanks.

On 2017-05-25 by (mod) - vinyl and other plastic products offgas a plastic odor when new, more-so when exposed to heat and sunlight.

Violeta

Many vinyl and other plastic products offgas a plastic odor when new, more-so when exposed to heat and sunlight.

The good news is that many of them will stop gassing over time - ventilation and sunlight and warmth speed the process.

The bad news is that some plastic and vinyl products keep offgassing a plastic-chemical odor, even for years - depending on their particular composition.

On 2017-05-25 by martelvioleta@yahoo.com - Chemical smell like new paint

Chemical smell like new paint or something on small patio that was recently enclosed with Sun roofing. Smell is gone if the French like sliding door is left opened.

On 2016-11-19 by Is there anything we can do to stop smel of vinyl windows

We recently bought a home with an enclosed air conditioned porch with 9 large vinyl windows and a door with vinyl. It did smell a little when we inspected, but we played it off to all of the old furniture. Now that we are moving in, the chemical smell is horrible.

I have young children and this was going to be a playroom. Now I can't even go out there. It gets better with the windows open and an air freshener, but I'm worried about our safety after reading more about off gassing. Is there anything we can do short of replacing all of the windows?

On 2016-08-17 by (mod) - drill holes into fiberglass cause odors?

More likely the holes expose an interior that otherwise has very slow offgassing properties. After all, the edges of the drilled holes themselves are a very small physical area.

Drilling can also heat the plastic or vinyl around the hole opening, causing burning an off-gassing, usually temporary in effect.

On 2016-08-17 by Dan

I am starting to think the drill holes into the fiberglass compromise it somehow, because I don't smell it elsewhere. But these little areas sure do let out quite a bit of chemical smell especially on hot days. I sent you the photos. Please let me know if you have any ideas how to treat.

And good advice not to get distracted from other every day dangers. Thanks!

On 2016-08-17 by (mod) - aluminum foil has a very low perm rating

Use the page top or bottom CONTACT link to send photos for comment.

Yes certainly aluminum foil has a very low perm rating, close to zero, and if mechanically it's convenient, you can masking-tape down foil over small odor-suspect areas.

One wonders if the windows are constructed of a fiberglass that emits odors but that is covered by a lower-perm plastic or vinyl coating that leaks odors where penetrated?

On the topic of being safe, don't let this specific worry so capture your attention that you fall down unsafe stairs, light up cigarettes in the baby's room, or drive without seatbelts.

On 2016-08-17 by Anonymous

Dan, I did pull of the latches a month ago, it's not them as they've been in a different room. It's definitely the window, specifically where the latches were inserted. In that carve-out of the wood frame you can see the fiberglass frame. (I can send you a photo.)

Seems like the smell is only there, not rest of window. But it is strong. Maybe because they drilled a hole through the fiberglass its gassing?

I did your smell test for 12 hours over that area, paper towel smelled like the chemical.

Was thinking maybe your smell test foil/paper towel method could be a temporary patch I just cover that area when the baby arrives.

Obviously looking for a more long-term, attractive solution! Maybe paint over it? Thanks.

On 2016-08-16 by (mod) - plastic or fiberglass window screen off gassing and smells

Dan:

These windows have been in place now over 2 months in summer weather;

You'd hope that any new-product offgassing from fiberglass, adhesives, vinyl or other coatings, would be significantly-reduced by now. If the smell is specifically at the latches, pull off a latch itself - are these vinyl/plastic?

If so, re-try our SMELL PATCH TEST by wrapping the latch, or a couple of them in aluminum foil along with a clean paper towel for 24 hours to see if on opening you can confirm if it's for sure the latch itself.

If so I'd replace the latches with an alternative, perhaps metal. Marvin is of course a reputable brand but we don't know if someone bought window parts from a third-party vendor, and as we read some Chinese plastic products sold in other countries can be problematic.

On 2016-08-16 by Dan

I'll try the smell test on the screen themselves just to be sure, but pretty sure its the fiberglass that's exposed to the room via the latches.

Thanks for the reply, Dan. It's definitely not the screen, its the top half of the bottom window (double hung window). I unscrewed the plastic release latches that let you take out window and its very strong in that area. The wood frame covers most of the frame but where these latches are the smell is very strong.

I can see the fiberglass, along with the screw hole from the latches into the fiberglass. I feel like painting that small area to mask/seal it. Perhaps I should let gas off more. Running out of patience with a baby on the way! Thanks for advice on bleach.

Dan

On 2016-08-16 by (mod) - Do not wash stuff in straight bleach

Dan

Do not wash stuff in straight bleach as you'll damage it by oxidation.

Some fiberglass products may offgas for a while when new;
But I'd see first if you can trace the odor to the screens themselves. Try searching InspectApedia for SMELL PATCH TEST to see how you might do that.

On 2016-08-16 by Anonymous

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, it's mentioned 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. If you put your nose on the window near the latches it is particularly strong.

Its been 2 1/2 months and there is still a 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 patiently 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 2016-04-24 by Question, Susan - April 23, 2016 - Does the age of the vinyl product make a difference?

I should have checked this website before I had a 3 hour (approximately) ozone treatment done in my home. But since that wasn’t done, I now am living with the consequences of my decision. I may have stumbled upon the answer to my continuing odor problem but it doesn’t hurt to get a second opinion.

In trying to get rid of one odor problem, I’ve created another with the ozone treatment. As the temperature rises, I get a dirty smelling odor in my home that also comes with an indoor haze (if my house is closed up). The south facing living room and bedroom are the worst!

However, if I open the windows and use fans the smell will start to dissipate and as the temperature lowers in the evening there is only a hint of the offensive odor. As the day gets warmer the odor returns.

I’ve done the smell patch test on everything, except the vinyl trim on my windows, and got no odor response. If the vinyl window trim is the culprit (and I will be doing a test on them), will the odor eventually go away?

Does the age of the vinyl product make a difference?

My windows were installed in 1988. If I put in new vinyl windows, can I expect that I will be dealing with “new” off gassing odors for awhile? I want to clean the carpets and furniture but am concerned that until this smell goes away I may just be wasting money. Would you wait to do this cleaning?

...

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.

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CHEMICAL or PLASTIC ODOR FAQs-3 at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

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

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