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Photograph of - damaged vinyl siding Plastic, Vinyl Odor Source Diagnosis
Vinyl Siding & Plastic Windows, Flooring & other Odor Sources

How to find & cure plastic like odors and smells in buildings:

This article 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 describe common sources of plastic or vinyl type indoor odors and we provide a checklist that can help pinpoint the source of such odors by noting information about the building construction, building materials, HVAC systems, weather, sunlight, temperature, time of day, wind direction, and other clues.

We include a Checklist used for Diagnosing Plastic or Chemical Smells in buildings - how to track down sources of plastic smells in buildings by noting area of strongest odor, time of day, sunlight exposure, and presence of particular building materials

We provide links to articles detailing possible health effects of exposure to indoor VOCs and plastic odors and smells.

InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.

- Daniel Friedman, Publisher/Editor/Author - See WHO ARE WE?

Guide to Finding Plastic or Chemical Odors In buildings

Photograph of - damaged vinyl siding

A variety of common building products, coatings, and furnishings may exude odors that disturb at least some occupants. Most of these occur in new building products and dissipate fairly rapidly. Other building odors or "house B.O." may be persistent or may be intermittent but unpleasant.

Some of these plastic-like odor sources in buildings can be tricky to track down. Here we list some common building products that may produce chemical or plastic like odors.

We provide some suggestions for tracking down these odor sources in buildings, and we offer suggestions for removing or curing these odors.

Article Series Contents

Siding, window, screen, & other "plastic" odors:

We've investigated a number of reports of strange odors in residential buildings that were ultimately traced to vinyl or plastic which was outgassing.

We've observed this phenomenon with vinyl siding, plastic or vinyl window or door screens, and plastic or vinyl windows.

A key diagnostic step in finding odor source was the observation that the odors were strongest when the material under investigation was exposed to sunlight or other sources of heat.

Some Common Plastic & Vinyl Building Products that May Emit Odors Include:

Vinyl replacement window may not be easy to spot (C) Daniel Friedman

Checklist for Diagnosing Plastic Odors or Smells in buildings

We offer below a list of clues, focused on common sources of plastic-like odors, that any home owner, home inspector, or other investigator can follow in seeking to pinpoint the source of an annoying or obnoxious odor in buildings. Readers are asked to contact us to suggest additions or corrections to this list.

Often people's perception of odors varies with time and exposure or with a number of other site factors that make it hard to track down just where a smell is coming from.

But if we think carefully about when, and under what conditions we notice odors, often that information is instrumental in tracking down an odor to its source and thus in helping us decide if an odor refers to a potentially dangerous or unhealthy condition.

This list is in simple alphabetic order, not in order of probable cause, importance, or health risk, all of which can vary widely.

Odor Diagnosis Strategies:

You can start tracking down the cause or source of an odor in one or more of several ways:

  1. ODOR DIAGNOSIS SIX STEPS - taking an orderly approach to odor source tracking
  2. ODOR DIAGNOSIS CHECKLIST - an easy checklist of stuff to examine or test
  3. ODORS GASES SMELLS, DIAGNOSIS & CURE - includes a catalog of places to look when tracking down an odor source
  4. SMELL PATCH TEST to FIND ODOR SOURCE - procedure for testing specific surfaces or items to see if an odor source of if they have absorbed and are re-emitting an odor

Health Effects of Exposure to "Plastic" Odors or "Vinyl" Odors

The jury may be out on this question. Plastics are used in an enormous range of building materials and consumer products, and plastics vary widely in their properties, chemical composition, tendency to give off gases, smells, odors, and in possible health concern.

One of the plastics that has received a lot of study are those using vinyl chloride.

This product might be present in some common building products such as vinyl siding and vinyl windows or screens.

The US EPA has classified vinyl chloride as a Group A, human carcinogen.

Really? as with most environmental contaminants, potential contaminants & worries, the dose makes the poison. Unless you know the exposure level and duration as well as the individual health risk profile of building occupants, in at least some cases you cannot conclude the actual / probable health risk for building occupants.

For details see PLASTIC or VINYL ODOR EXPOSURE - we have moved the plastic odor or burned plastic exposure discussion there.

That article discusses PVC exposure and also more general

PLASTIC, BURNED ODOR EXPOSURE HAZARDS

Watch out: Vinyl chloride might be present in gas form as a colorless, flammable gas with a faintly sweet odor at levels of about 3000 ppm (the odor detection threshold). We provide the US EPA health report on vinyl chloride

at VINYL CHLORIDE HEALTH INFO.

Reader Question: breathing in plastic after a vinyl floor was removed

(Mar 27, 2015) Faye Norris said:
After a flood, my vinyl flooring squares were taken up, then i had new vinyl squares installed (2 weeks ago).

There is a strong plastic smell that lingers & I'm wondering if this is a health hazard. It might be odor from the squares or the glue used to install them. I am concerned about breathing plastic.

Reply:

Faye,

There might be a hazard; usually the plastic odor outgasses fairly rapidly. You can increase the speed of that process by both heat and fresh-air ventilation.

Research on Chemical & Plastic Off-Gassing & Odor Hazards in Buildings

Try the odor source track-down procedures at ODOR DIAGNOSIS CHECKLIST, PROCEDURE

Field Reports: Sources of & Cures for Plastic Odors In or Around Buildings

Reader Question: Odors & Chemical Hazards in a Garage

2015/11/26 Beth said:

My sister had me sleep in the garage, ironically, because I was needed to get away from the second hand smoke of my apt. She has a chemical sensitivity, I guess, so, she claimed that I may introduce a new smell to her apt. "and make her apt a -hostile- environment" for her

. It was enough that my mom was staying there, to help bc of sister's meniscus problem. A second person would be too much. "Sorry I don't have a 2 bedroom."

I already respiratory problems, asthma, and sleep apnea. Garage smelled bad. Thought it would be better than strong second hand smoke from new occupant under me in my apt.

I brought camping cot and very warm sleeping bag. And, my CPAP machine, and my oxygen tank for my 1 liter supplemental oxygen.

CPAP machine sat on a box 10 inches up from concrete garage floor. CPAP machine sucks air through 1inch vent in back of machine and has a Hepa filter for this 1inch.

After 45minutes or so, I opened the big garage door. Surprisingly, it -Never-smelled any better! My body told me in the first 10 minutes, -go home- , -pack-up, un-plug, load-up, in the 20° F, at 11:pm, and drive the 20 minutes home. I didn't, until 3 hrs total later.

Felt a sucking pain in my chest, like not enough blood, or, oxygen. Just smelled like car was -on- even though it wasn't, and, even though big garage door was open. Not much wind. I was sleeping in front of car, far from big open door, and near wall adjoining apt.

No water-heater, no wh-vent (says sister). I am thinking that the concrete absorbs the carbon monoxide and benzene from the car emissions. I had shortness of breathe, and that lingering sucking pain in my chest, with some arm pains for 2 days.

Went to the gym, and -really- sob trying to do usual exercises. Finally, better at gym, after 2 hours struggling approx. Then, today, still recurring sucking pain and sob, but seems to be lessening.

2015/11/27 RE-posting anonymously from private email from same reader:

What is the danger of spending time in garage of residence? Sister had me sleep in garage, ironically, as she was worried I'd introduce a new odor to her home, and -she- is chemically-sensitive.

Had my CPAP machine on a box 8-10 inches off concrete floor. Had my 1 liter of prescribed oxygen hooked-up to my CPAP. Was "sleeping" (trying to sleep) near adjoining wall to apt, i.e., in front of car. After 45 minutes, opened garage door (big door). Not much wind. Left after 3 hour total.

Body told me to leave when I was just setting up. Was there because my apt has new tenant under me smoking a lot at night, and trying to avoid. Ultimately, went back to -my- apt.

Reply: possible common environmental hazards found in a residential garage

If vehicles were left running such that exhaust accumulated in an area where you were staying the risk could include fatal carbon monoxide poisoning.

Oil or fuel spills, leaks or odors from vehicles is equipment, other unidentified substances stored in the space, other hazards identifiable by visual inspection, testing, or study if building history, dust, or chemical or gas tests, could be present in a garage.

As you were there only a short time, don't report obvious sources of carbon monoxide (CO) dangers, nor other obvious hazards, unless your doctor finds an environmentally related illness or complaint, and absence symptoms or evidence of hazards like those for which I gave examples, there is no clear evidence of actual hazard exposure.

Only if your doctor advised otherwise would it make economic sense to investigate further - a step that would require help from an environmental professional or an industrial hygienist who is familiar with residential hazard investigations.

Reader follow-up, edited for taste

Thanks ,... What … I have to be thankful for this Thanksgiving, huh ? What is more toxic, the benzene in second hand smoke, or, the benzene in car emission residuals, like that found in a garage. ...

I just learned that benzene is in petrol and car materials and fluids. I expected my mom, re: sister, on her irrationally relegating me to the garage. Sister's excuse is, that I might be wearing clothes that have a scent from being washed or dried in washer or drier that others with fragranced detergent have used. I didn't have that, and I know what that is.

I very rarely, if ever have that. So, therefore, we should, just assume that I have that,

.that slight detergent smell that may give her a slight, transient headache, and, .put -ME- in the -GARAGE- with the common, standard, known, garage odors, that most people would figure are WAY more toxic than, oh, a laundry detergent smell.

And here I am, .trying to figure out the lesser of two evils - benzene at my apt. - from, cigarette smoke, or, benzene in a residential garage.
… [expletives deleted - Ed.]

Reply:

Benzene hazards, as with all environmental hazards, depend on the level and duration of exposure and would be the same regardless of why the benzene is present.

Variations in individual health, genetics, and history of exposures to various hazards are also factors that physicians use in assessing individual risk from environmental exposure.

You are perhaps assuming far more about what your exposure is or was than is suggested by spending a few hours in a garage with no vehicles running.

See - GAS EXPOSURE LIMITS & STANDARDS

Chemical Odor / Solvent Odor Complaint "Solved" 12/09/2013 - Vinyl Siding, Trim, Windows Odor on Attached Outdoor Covered Porch or "Florida Room" or "Lanai"

Florida room vinyl products suspected as odor source (C) InspectApedia P.O.D.

I have very good news... finally! :) We continued to leave the windows open during the first 3 weeks in November.

The odor still lingered, but less so because of the fresh air exchange.

So, feeling somewhat confident that it had dissipated sufficiently to allow a potential buyer to come in, we put the mattresses back in and started to put house back together for sale.

Even so, I was still a bit apprehensive that the odor would return as soon as we closed it up.

As I worked inside the house, my husband tackled the lanai outside, which has vinyl windows, screens and an unfinished concrete floor.

He used a heavy mixture of clorox on the concrete floor and the house siding to remove any mildew that had built up during the summer.

Florida room vinyl products suspected as odor source (C) InspectApedia P.O.D.

Incredibly, the solvent odor actually seemed to have disappeared when he was done! We gave it the closed house test for about an hour and it never built up before we left. Any other time, the odor would have been heavy within 10 minutes.

It really appears that the odor had absorbed into the concrete floor in the lanai and was somehow seeping into the house. When I got home that night, I googled "concrete absorbs solvent odors," to see if that was possible.

It actually pulled up your site where you note that it definitely can pick up chemical odors.

See CONCRETE DUST & ODORS

I'm not sure if I read that before, but if I did I guess it didn't strike me as a possibility because I was so focused on the inside where I used the polish. Your site is awesome and has so much useful information

I was in shock... lol, but not quite sure whether to trust that it was really gone.

We went back to the house the next day to see if it was still clear and it was. This was very fortunate because someone requested to see the house the very next day.

The people came in, there was no smell and they bought the house... it was that fast... :) That was about two weeks ago, and we close on Dec. 20th.

I truly believe the odor had permeated the concrete and was seeping into the house all this time. And we had actually put off washing down the lanai all summer so we could work on the odor first... go figure! I have attached some pictures of the house so you can now see what we were dealing with.

I appreciate your guidance and assistance during the past few months. I am so relieved that we can finally put this nightmare to rest. P.O.D 12/09/2013

Follow-up:

I am so happy to hear this odor problem has been put to bed.

And thanks for the helpful photos. Just to be sure I understand correctly, "Lanai" as you use it refers to the attached porch along one side of your home, right?

A couple of questions remain about why the odor is gone and what one might expect in the future.

1. I have had many reports of odors traced to vinyl products - plastic trim, siding, even window screens. Is it possible that the odor cure is actually because of lower temperatures or closing windows between the house and the actual odor source: the outside vinyl?

See VINYL SIDING or WINDOW PLASTIC ODORS for details.

2. Can we figure out why we didn't figure out why the odor was coming from outdoors? - Ed.

Reader Reply:

... the vinyl siding is a very good possibility also.

There is one wall of vinyl siding on the house inside the porch. The screens in the porch are fiberglass and the windows are vinyl.

The vinyl siding was washed down with Clorox and water at the same time as the concrete floor when the smell dissipated. My husband did not spray the vinyl windows and screens with Clorox.

Something I don't think I ever mentioned, and is probably an important clue, I used to smell the odor from down the street as we were driving up to the house, whether the vinyl windows in the porch were open or closed.

My husband always thought I was imagining it 'cause he couldn't smell it. It's possible it was coming from all the vinyl in the porch. The odor was very heavy inside the porch whenever we walked in.

Inside the house always smelled whether the windows in the house or the porch were open or closed.

The concrete floor does not extend under the house, it is just dirt under there.

But it must have been seeping into the house somehow. I believe that opening the windows and airing out the house helped over time, but it did not go away until [we] used the Clorox, at which time it virtually disappeared. - P.O.D. 12/9/2013

Reader Question: Test Report on plastic, sweet & "fresh paint" smell in a Florida home

(Apr 13, 2015) Paul said:

We live in Orlando and on 2011 we moved into this house that was built on 2007.

I remember that the smell of the house was like fresh paint or something when it was empty. We also notice that they painted and installed new carped. The house was in the market for almost a year before we moved in.

So since day one we notice this faint plastic, or paint or particle boar sweet smell that doesn’t go away.

On hot days when we return from the mall the smell is stronger and it lingers for hours. We have small kids and we are wary that this smell may be dangerous. It’s a two story home, first floor is block and the second is wood with stucco siding.

The front of the house faces south and there are a lot of windows on that side.

All the windows have windows blinds that look like vinyl or PVC. The air handler is in the second floor

I tried to locate the source of the odor using paper tissue with aluminum foil taped to the surface. The test patches were on for a couple of days, but I couldn’t find the source of the odor. I am going crazy thinking on what is emitting this odor.

I suspect that the paint may be bad but the patch test didn’t smell like at all.

The carpet is another suspect but I am not sure. I had tried to contact professionals to help me resolve the problem but all of them only look for mold related stuff.

I purchase an air test that comes with a pump and test tube from a website on the UK. The results came with severe levels of VOCs and elevated levels of formaldehyde.

Your TVOC Level is (ng/L): 3600

Light Solvents : Severe

Stoddard solvent; mineral spirits; some paints, varnish, enamels; wax remover; adhesives; automotive products; penetrating oils.

Many of these are present in common household products; however, recent renovation or construction will increase these levels. Increase ventilation during and after use of these products.

High levels of Gasoline spills can contribute to the Light Solvents. We suggest that you contact an indoor air quality professional for discussion of the findings in this report and for further recommendations.

Paints, Varnishes, and Coatings: Elevated

Typically, VOCs from paints and coatings can linger for several months, sometimes longer.

Begin ventilating the home immediately, and locate and dispose of paint cans and related supplies. Consider using low-VOC paints/coatings in the future. 

Personal Care Products: Elevated

Personal care products include soap, deodorant, lotions, perfumes, hair coloring supplies, nail care supplies, oral hygiene products, etc.

They contain many VOCs that will dissipate if use is discontinued or reduced. Consider storing these products in a tight fitting container when not in use, and dispose of unused products.

Also, run an exhaust fan or open a window when dispensing these products.

An elevated level could mean an excessive amount of nail care products or astringents. 

Formaldehyde Concentration: 100 ng/L (80 ppb)

Since the test, I moved all the chemical substances from the first floor garage to and outside storage. I haven’t repeated the test since because is a little expensive but I am trying to determine what to do next since the smell is still there.

Should I repaint the interior or replace the carped?

Reply:

Paul

An immediate step that should help would be to increase the level of fresh air ventilation in the home. As you live in an air-conditioning climate, look into an air to air heat exchanger system so you don't blow your AC costs too high.

If your family report illness symptoms, in addition to speaking with your doctor about it you may want to consult a certified industrial hygienist.

More reader questions & answers about dealing with plastic or chemical smells and odors in buildings are at FAQs for this article.

Vinyl replacement windows smell musty at their seams, especially in sunlight

This discussion has moved to WINDOW OFFGASSING ODOR COMPLAINTS, FIBERGLASS & VINYL - separate article.

...


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Reader Comments, Questions & Answers About The Article Above

Below you will find questions and answers previously posted on this page at its page bottom reader comment box.

Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

On 2020-10-02 - by (mod) -

Not by brand, Anon; I've noticed that some blue and some green fibre-reinforced plastic tarps were pretty much odor free to my nose;

The rub is that during the COVID pandemic it's not so easy to do in-person shopping; if you are able to safely go right up to a supply of plastic tarps at a supplier you'd look around to assure it's safe to do-so, then temporarily lower your face mask and sniff near a tarp to see if it smells.

Else it's buy online with return privileges and check the tarp on receipt.

Interesting is that some plastics, both 6-mil poly clear and black (black is sometimes less smelly) and some plastic tarps will off-gas down to very low odor pretty quickly when exposed to warmth, fresh-air, sunlight; but other formulations emit a sickening odor that seems to exude from the plastic indefinitely.

In the latter case I suspect I've bought plastic from a manufacturer who used a particular toxic chemical mix of plasticizers.

Stay away from such suppliers if you can identify them (or in some cases the country of import).

On 2020-10-02 by Anonymous

Thank you. I'll keep checking this page to see if you've found anything.

My research, thus far, has turned up nothing. You noted that some plastic tarps seem to smell less than others. Have you found that it's just hit or miss, or are there brands you've found that are a bit better than others?

On 2020-10-02 - by (mod) -

Anon

You're quite right that some plastics smell terrible; even among 6-mil polyethylene I've found a significant variation between low-odor and terrible sickening odor that once nearly got me in a crawl space.

Be sure to take a look at PLASTIC or VINYL ODOR EXPOSURE


Some plastic tarps seem to me to smell much less;

But a search for low-odor polyetyhlene sheeting or PVC or odor free plastic tarps so far has found no one claiming to offer that feature.

I'm still researching the question.

On 2020-10-01 by Anonymous

Is there any product on the market that can be used for containing an area in one's home other than really stinky plastic tarp/PVC? We have some upcoming contracting work and some areas of our house will need to be contained because of the dust that will be created.

But the plastic used for containment smells so awful it makes me feel ill. The amount that will be needed is more than what we could try to off-gas on our porch. Any suggestions?

On 2020-06-25 - by (mod) -

Noel

Before posing the odor problem solution, I agree we want to find the problem source. Even removing rodent-contaminated insulation won't remove odors if there is rodent urine soaked into wood framing or into the upper surface of ceiling drywall or plaster.

Those odours are usually sensed as different from the plastic or chemical smell from PVC off-gassing. A 30-40 year old PVC window or screen might be off-gassing still, as some compositions don't seem to get offgassing down to zero while others do so.

I suggest making use of the SMELL PATCH TEST to FIND ODOR SOURCE https://inspectapedia.com/odor_diagnosis/Smell_Patch_Test.php

On 2020-06-25 by noel Broome

Each summer we are troubled by an unpleasant odour in the small back bedroom of our Northumberland farm house.

We have always assumed that this was caused by contamination of the insulation by rodents in the loft above the room, so last year we replaced this.

This has not improved things.. The pvc window was fitted some 30-40 years ago..

The room faces west & catches a great deal of sun on that side of the house - is it possible that this & not the insulation is the problem?
Many thanks for your help

On 2020-03-04 by Anonymous

Bernida

Instead of dumping the smelly Waterpik- shower head I'd have returned it to the vendor along with the odor complaint as surely they'll want to know there's a consumer complaint about the product. Did you see any labeling that noted where the product had been manufactured?

About lingering odor, if you removed all of the smelly shower head parts from the building there should be no lingering odor from them as long as you ventilate the area with fresh air.

If that's not the case then there may be a different odor source to be identified - review the candidates above on this page.

On 2020-03-04 by Bernida Summons

A few days ago I ordered a Waterpik hand-held shower head. As soon as packaging was opened a strong smell was present. I thought it was the outer packaging, so I took it out to the dumpster. I would still smell the odor it was coming from the shower head.

So I proceed to wash it in some detergent and let soak for a couple hours. Later when I ruined off the parts, the smell was mostly gone from all parts except the plastic hose.

I woke with a raw sore throat and ever visit to the bathroom the smell is present. Yes I did install the shower head, but will the odor go away? What can I do?

On 2019-01-25 - by (mod) -

danjoefriedman (mod) said:
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 inspectapedia.com/odor_diagnosis/Odor_Diagnosis_Cars_Boats_RVs.php BOAT & CAR SMELLS & ODORS

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

On 2013-03-29 - by (mod) -

Jennifer,

Before painting with an odor sealant (search for paints used in buildings to contain fire odors) you might want to use the smell patch to be sure that you've correctly identified the source of odor.

On 2013-03-28 by Jennifer

Oh yeah, this room is 13-14 yrs old.

On 2013-03-28 by Jennifer

I'm moving into an apartment that has an enclosed room off the bedroom that was originally going to be a patio, but was closed in with a window in it. The walls and ceiling are stucco, same as the outside of the building.

There is a really strong "plastic" type smell in this room and I am concerned about whether it will be unhealthy and if so, is there something I can brush/paint onto the stucco surface to make it safer? Thank you.

On 2013-03-20 - by (mod) -

Jessi,

"she couldn't smell anything" is not a completely reliable test of odors in a building, since the sensitivity to odors varies quite widely among people.

I'm not sure however what to make about "lingering particles" in the air or what tests would be appropriate.

I think I would ventilate the home thoroughly with fresh air, thus starting from a known condition.

Plastic odors are pretty distinctive.

On 2013-03-20 by Jessi

Hi Dan,

Thank you for your help. I had the landlord check it out and she said she couldn't smell anything, so I started sleeping here again 3 days ago. However, I don't know if it's just my imagination but I haven't been sleeping very well at all and feel very unfocused,

and I wonder if it's from any lingering left over particles in the air. If so, is there a way to test for them? Or to test any toxins in my body? Or even eliminate any of the toxins in my body if I've been exposed to them?

Thanks so much.

Jessi

On 2013-03-14 - by (mod) -

Jessi,

Plastic odors from cooking stuff in the oven should dissipate with plenty of fresh air ventilation.

I would NOT recommend using an ozone generator to pretend to attack this problem. It is not necessary, would not be effective anyway, and risks creating a much worse mess. Search InspectAPedia for OZONE WARNINGS for a more detailed explanation

I agree about staying out of the area until it's aired out. I've gotten sick from slithering around working in a crawlspace whose dirt floor I was lining with new 6-mil poly as a vapor barrier. Over a relatively short time your brain can tune out an odor but exposure continues.

Keep us posted.

Dan

On 2013-03-14 by Jessi

Hi,

I just started renting a new room and the previous tenant seemed to have left the plastic in a seemingly new oven without warning me.

I turned it on, and it melted the plastic onto the sides of the oven. It was suggested that I put it on "self-clean" to eliminate it, and that's what I just recently did. I left for the day only to return with the entire apartment reeking with a burnt-plastic odor and most likely being a very toxic fume.

I'm not sure what to do or how to remove it, as I've left the windows open for more than 24 hours with no luck. Are there people who remove toxic odors? I've heard of ozone machines, but I'd be concerned that it wouldn't remove the toxic stuff, just the smell (if that's possible).

I cannot sleep in my bedroom because it smells so bad, and I'm deeply concerned about my health, even when spending 10 minutes in there (my heart started palpitating). Any help would be appreciated. Thanks so much.

On 2013-01-29 by Rema Smith, rema.smith@cox.net

Please let me know who I can contact in my town government to help us figure out the plastic smell coming off our storm windows made of aluminum and glass. There is no plastic or vinyl in them.

On 2012-09-15 - by (mod) -

R Craig,

Thank you for an important field report on exposure to plastic odors (and gases). To have room and to give you some live links to more documents I've moved my reply to the FAQs section above.

On 2012-09-15 by R. Craig

I have been working hard for long hours outside my aunt's house in New Jersey. Friday Aug. 3 I woke up after a long day of work Thursday. I woke up at 7AM in a 9' x 18' porch of vinlyl windows to a sunny morning but a strong plastic odor.

Throughout the house my aunt's windows smell of plastic. I was dizzy and began vomiting and by 8AM I had been transported by ambulance to Overlook Hospital.

My body temperature was at 94 but it had been a clear night and the outdoor temp. had dropped and I slept next to an open window with a slow ceiling fan near me but the doctor has asked about carbon monixide, a furnace pipe, and at that hour and day only a properly venting hot water heater would have been running.

I'll check the hospital's blood tests for vinyl chloride other plastic contaminents. Thank you very much.


...

Continue reading at WINDOW OFFGASSING ODOR COMPLAINTS, FIBERGLASS & VINYL or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

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