Campaign to Halt the Import of
Smelly, Chemical-Emitting Plastic from China

• September 19, 2011

  Very glad to have found your site; this problem appears to be ubiquitous, yet largely overlooked by the average American! We have had three recent experiences here in Washington State that underscore the issue; number 3 was a multi-year nightmare (albeit a small-scale one):

  1.  Received a gift card for Harbor Freight, a nationwide chain offering tools and equipment; product line is apparently 100% Chinese made. ... My son and I were immediately struck by what we felt was an overwhelming chemical odor that pervaded every inch of the store. Sadly, employees and customers seemed completely accustomed to the odor....

  2.  Recieved a Chinese-made mountain bike (Shogun Trail Machine) this summer as a work-anniversary gift. When the UPS driver unloaded it, we instantly detected a sharp, sweet odor from the cardboard carton. We unpacked the bike and assembled it in our barn. ... The barn (very large interior space) immediately was saturated with a very pervasive vinyl-like odor that we traced to the bike's tires. During assembly inside, close exposure produced minor nausea in several visitors. ... The bike has been parked in an open area for over a month now; the tires are still off-gassing, and the odor can be detected from 50' away.

     Meanwhile, the carton sat for several days in the sun until I could make a trip into town to recycle it. Its distinct odor, which I cannot compare to anything else, never abated. In fact, the back of my truck stunk for several days after I recycled the box. The odor did not resemble any fumigant, herbicide or insecticide that we are familiar with, and seemed to thoroughly permeate even the smallest piece of cardboard.

  3.  Purchased what appeared to be a very well made desk lamp 5 years ago. (...no label on lamp except "made in China"). Placed lamp on desk in bedroom- it operated normally, and was typically used only a few hours per week at most. Soon thereafter, that room began to occasionally smell of death- exactly the same odor that would issue from a dead animal found along the road. It only lasted for a few hours at a time, but during each bout, could be easily recognized by anyone entering the room. Very unpleasant, to say the least! We speculated that a mouse must have died in a wall. When the odor cycles reappeared weeks later, even stronger, I began to investigate more ardently. ...Finally, even though the lamp had been "cleared" previously, I left it switched on for an hour one evening, and this "new" room reeked with the same old odor upon my return. Eureka! When I disassembled the lamp, I found that, even after cooling, the two plastic bulb sockets (resembling old Bakelite in color and texture) smelled so strongly that inspecting them up close made several of us short of breath. No other components (wiring, metal frame, glass shade) seem to have any odor at all. Days later, the two sockets, now sealed in a Ziploc bag, still emit so much odor that it can be detected just by handling the closed bag. ... Now that the issue has been resolved, I am not happy that my family was exposed to these unknown fumes for so long.

• September 5, 2011

  I just bought two pairs of sandals during the weekend flea market in Hillsville, VA and the smell is so unbearable. I didn’t notice the odor until I got them home and thought they smelled like moth balls. The odor is coming from the soles and they are like very hard rubber. If you can see the sandals, they leave you very nausea and gives you a headache. The odor tends to intensify. ...The shoe reads: VKVR,  USA. MADE IN CHINA.

• August 29, 2011:

  I just purchased children's barrettes and bungee cords at a discount store ($1 type) while traveling. The packaging smell is nauseatingly awful. They were wrapped in plastic that smelled like intense burning rubber, and I made the mistake of placing them in my suitcase (double bagged), but everything in the suitcase ended up smelling like toxic plastic. My jeans and sweater, all cotton, were the worst. I just don't know what this is or whether my child should be using the barrettes. Thanks for starting this.

• August 1, 2011:

  Another example for your long list...a few days ago, I purchased gorgeous glittery colored jelly flip-flops at Old Navy.  They were reduced from $9.99 to $3.99 so I couldn't resist buying 4 pairs in all of the available colors. Yesterday, two days after purchasing them, I noticed a horrible skunk smell in my bedroom.  It was so overpowering that I didn't sleep at all and even escaped the room to sleep on the sofa.  ... I started sniffing the various items in my bedroom until, a ha!  it was the Old Navy bag with the 4 pairs of shoes in it!  The stench was unbearable.  It was only after I had thrown the shoes in the trash chute that I googled "jelly shoes" "skunk smell" and discovered I wasn't the only one to experience it.  In fact, in one of the reviews on the Old Navy website, a woman complained about the same shoes!  

• July 30, 2011:

  we purchased a kid's quad (Razor brand) made in China for my 7 yr. old grandson from Walmart online. It should be recalled. 7 weeks later  with it outside the whole time and many vinegar washes could not end the toxic smell. Walmart will not do anything. I am trying the manufacturer.  But now that we must store it inside (basement) , we cannot stand the smell and don't know what to do with this $350.00 toy of my grandson's who will not be using it again until next summer.( Don't have a garage). It is definitely a very toxic smell. If you touch it , after seven weeks, the smell still comes off on your hands. We thought it had stopped smelling when he was riding it. I also purchased a mini vacuum for sewing machines and computers, the hose has been outside in all kinds of weather for 10 months and still smells very toxic. ... I was happy to see your site and know that at least people are discovering this issue.

• July 25, 2011:

  I bought a pair of ladies sandals last month at Dollar General.  They have a hard rubber bottom.  Today is the last day I can wear them.  Every time I have them on at my desk, the extremely strong chemical smell wafts up from under the desk and makes my eyes and nose burn and I get a headache.  My clothes closet reeks of these things.  There is no brand name on these Made In China sandals and was probably on the tag.  But there is a UPC number and stock number.  I’ll go by Dollar General the first chance I get and talk to the manager about this toxic item.  Thanks for tracking this on your site.

• June 23, 2011:

  I have encountered this mystery smell as early as 2001. I brought back several items from china and the suitcase I used to carry them still smells like the goods I purchased. My wife just purchased carry on suit case from Coleman brand and it smells like this mystery chemical. It is at the point where whenever I encounter this odor it reminds me of my stay in china.

• June 23, 2011:

  I just bought some boys' dress shoes off Amazon.  They smell horrendous.  I wondered if a skunk had sprayed the box the UPS left on my porch. Turns out it was the shoes inside that smelled.  Smells like skunk and burnt rubber. I drenched them inside and out with enzyme neutralizer and left them outside for a week in the sun and rain. They STILL smell.  I have figured out it's the liner pad inside the shoe or what the liner lays on that has the smell, not the upper or the sole. TRENDZ brand sold by Amazon. I would throw them away but am saving them in case they are needed for this cause of fighting against these toxic smelling imports. I keep them in the garage they smell so bad.

• June 19, 2011:

  I purchases the latest fad, "The Ahh Bra" and it smelled horrible like bad plastic. It is made of nylon and spandex from China.  It is ok after washing but what happens to my body from it. My heart and lungs lay just beneath those chemicals. Thanks for your efforts. ... I was wrong Lee, washed three times, used vinegar last rinse , still smells like plastic.

• June 18, 2011:

  I opened a newly purchased from Costco toe tap stainless steel trash can in our three-season patio room with all the windows open and was assailed with the most horrible chemical smell ever.  At first I thought it must be the packaging Styrofoam so returned that to the box and put it outside.  But the can itself was really awful, so I put that outside on the driveway too with the lid up so it could air out. Then I googled toxic chemical smells from Styrofoam and luckily your site came up.  ... there it was:  Made in China.  The lid, liner ring, non skid base, front control panel and parts of the inner base (the cylindrical shaped "commercial grade stainless steel" can) are all a hard black plastic touted "ABS plastic" on the outside of the box.

• June 15, 2011:

  I recently purchased a "dual-powered LED Lantern"...  The box says the company is Journey's Edge Trademark, "Signature Collection".   It wreaks so badly from a petroleum-like odor that I requested an RMA from the seller, who agreed to take it back, and actually offered a 50% discount to just keep it.  Not only is the air affected by this odor, but even if you simply touch the rubberized parts of the lantern, then your fingers wreak as well, and continue to wreak even after several handwashings.  So I googled this issue and came upon your site.  My major concern is if there are any health implications from inhaling this smell, or from even touching it.  I can't seem to find any info about that.  

• June 12, 2011:

  It started in 2008, when my first son was born. I was shopping at Babies r' us for clothing and found a pack of baby socks with rubber (logo) on the soles. For some reason I didn't smell anything at the store, but when I got home I became nauseous. The smell had permeated the entire shopping bag and had begun to spread beyond. I was afraid to use any of the other items I had purchased that had shared the shopping bag. I called the company ...  Despite the lack of answers, I did receive a reimbursement check from the company after I sent the socks to the quality control department. I then called the store where I had originally purchased the socks.  The manager, in agreement with me after sniffing a couple of sets, pulled the remaining stock off the shelves.

• May 19, 2011:

  Thank you very much for explaining what is going on with shoes I purchased from DSW... I thought the strong chemeical odor would go away, but it hasn't... I think it's permanent. I searched high and low on the internet for an explanation/remedy and found your site... Thank you! Now I know... Probably toxic!  Throw them away!!!   I don't understand why our government allows this.  

• May 11, 2011:

  I stumbled on to your website after googling safety concerns re odor emitting products from China. Tonight was the third or fourth time I've been so repulsed by the odor of a new product that I was moved to return it.

  People unfortunately assume that if they bought something at the store (or amazon.com in my case), that some US government entity had to approve it for its safety to consumers. That's clearly not the case with these Chinese products. I opened a $40 Kensington laptop lock tonight and was immediately repulsed by the made in China odor. Shortly thereafter, I had this odd feeling in the back of my throat, as if the fumes dried it out or something. The last time I got this reaction was from smelling a Chinese-made Audio Technica USB mic's vinyl/fake leather case. Had to immediately toss it. Anyhow, this is not acceptable for me, and shouldn't be for anyone else. What can I do to help you move this cause forward??

• May 8, 2011:

  I recently purchased a pair of COACH Haylee sandals ("jelly" shoes) that I thought would be great for the summer rains here in FL.  They were shipped to me and when I opened the box, it emitted a strong smell.  I tried airing them out in a bathroom with the fan on for a few days.  I then tried wearing them and had to take them off after 30 minutes because the smell was so strong.  I am going to return the shoes and complain to COACH about poor quality.

• May 2, 2011:

  I first noticed the smell back in 2007 when my mother sent me a bathing suit with bra cups that had this smell, then later that year I smelled it in an asian store in Montreal, since then have noticed it in dollars stores everywhere, I now refuse to enter bargain stores because of the smell, how can it not be toxic? This weekend I purchcased an office chair in a Jysk store in Kamloops BC and while my son assembled it for me I noticed "that smell" eminating from the chair. I have tried washing the chair, covering it with a blanket.... but my intuition screams get it out of here, I will return it to the store.

• April 23, 2011:

  I have been noticing a strong smell in plastic bags the last few months, a smell that was never there before.  First noticed it in the bag that sometimes comes with my newspaper.  Then noticed it in some store bags.  Now I am smelling it in the copy room at my office.  I think it may be the bags that rolls of plotting paper come in.  Have you heard any other comments about the new (and very disagreeable) smell in plastic bags? 

• April 17, 2011:

  I recently bought - and returned - several blankets made in China that had horrendous chemical smells. One of the blankets was so soft and thick I decided to try to air it out. I left it outside for over a week and much of the smell was gone. I put the blanket on me for a few minutes and where the blanket touched my skin (my bare feet) started burning!

• April 3, 2011:

  I live in forida and I recently purchased a mascot uniform from china. When i first put on the mascot head I smelt an overpowering paint thinner  smell. I thought it would go away, but I have had it for months and the smell still stays consistant. Im worried because I wear this mascot head for a hour or two at a time and thought this smell could be detrimental to my health.

• March 26, 2011:

  I found an article you wrote about stinky plastics from China.  I recently bought a handbag from Marshalls and it stinks terribly.  Smells like chemicals and a skunk or something like that.  Do you have any more information on that, and how to get rid of the stench?

• March 26, 2011:

  Wow....this China product gassing has gone viral. I recently bought a portable water hose cart that was made in China and attempted to assemble it in my family room. About half way through I began to have this horrible taste in my mouth, my wife came barging into the room and screamed what the he%% is that death gas smell?  I smelled my shirt and it had infiltrated all of my clothing, I drug the whole mess out on the back deck and opened all the windows to air out the house and it was so bad the smell was coming back in the windows from the deck contaminating the whole house! When was the last time anyone went into Northern (China) Tool & Equipment? After you leave you smell just like that China death gas, the smell is deafening, some lawyer probably has a family member who works at one of those places and is preparing a class action against them. What is that chemical, and what will it do to us over long exposure?

• March 19, 2011:

  I'm so glad to see that I am not the only one affected by this plastic odor. I sent back pair of shoes that I had ordered off the Internet because I couldn't even take off the lid of the box. The shoes made my whole closet smell terrible from this horrendous odor! That was one year ago. Two years ago, I had to send back a room air conditioner from Sears because of the plastic smell. I ran it for three nights and had headaches each night. I had a friend come over to confirm that I was not the only one who could detect this smell. Yesterday, I was at a store and picked up a plastic wrapped set of pillow covers to look at them more closely. There was that smell again! I started to get a headache so I called my friend over and she said she smelled the odor in the air. After walking away, I still could not get rid of the smell in my head. I smelled my hand and there was the smell! I quickly went to try to wash it off. I thought this experience was just a fluke, but today when I walked down the bedding aisle of a major department store, the whole aisle reeked of that sickening smell. I am suspecting something very harmful that the Chinese are putting in their plastic and am wondering why our government hasn't checked it out yet. The instances of finding this toxic smell in products seems to be getting much worse now. I applaud your efforts to try to start a movement to at least test this material that could be very hazardous to our health.

• March 19, 2011:

  Thanks for your research on products that smell toxic.  I purchased a set of cotton duck curtains from JCPenneys. which were made in China, and these reeked of a synthetic smell. It was so bad I could not sleep in the bedroom where I had hung the curtains.  I also recently purchased two personal journals from a company called Pentalic, at my college bookstore.  They smelled like toxic glue.  They are both made in China.

• March 1, 2011:

  As a drummer, my most recent encounter was with the rubber feet of newly developed metal stands by an otherwise reputable manufacturer. My pet peeve though are those bright orange rubber mallets in hardware stores! I don't know if you've heard of Harbor Freight Tools, but the entire store is basically a chinese warehouse and the smell is on EVERYTHING. I made a new friend recently who is quite an experienced chemist. I'll let you know what he might have to say about the subject.

• February 16, 2011:

  I bought a white bookcase for my daughter's room that was made in China.  It has a horrible smell to it.  It came packed in white styrofoam and sheets of plastic-like/styrofoam-like material.   At first I thought it was just the packaging but it's also the bookcase.  I've let it air out for a day and it still smells.  There's no way that I'm putting it in my daughter's room with that smell attached to it.

• February 13, 2011:

  I first started noticing these strong odors from products made in China from their silk shirts and that was probably around 2006. ... Based on where I have encountered these smells, in clothing, luggage, rugs, rubber products, and many similarly treated items, I suspect some type of industrial solvent used in their dying or in the case of rubber, in their production process.  I would especially like to know how to get rid of those putrid smells and whether they are as hazardous as they smell.

• January 28, 2011:

  Recently we purchase a small indoor tent for our daughter.  This product was a nylon type cloth.  I haven't located any rubber or vinyl on it.  But it exhibited a very strong odor.  I didn't let my daughter play in it until the odor had substantially disipated.  She also received another toy that included a tennis ball.  That had the same odor, and was soon destined for the trash. The reason I happened upon your site today was that I order some model train materials from E-bay that came directly from a Chinese seller.  The box was still sealed, but when I entered the room, I could already smell the strong petroleum odor.  When I opened the box, the smell was overwhelming.  The item was a bundle of 100 grain of wheat light bulbs.  The odor was coming from the insulation on the wire.  I had to take these down in the basement immediately. ... This is an obvious and growing problem.  And I suspect there could be some near, and possibly long term health effects associated with breathing this byproduct.

• December 30, 2010:

  My little one got plastic high heels for dress up and my Granddaughter received a plastic remote car for Christmas . They both have a Horrid chemical smell ---- which I think is pretty scary . Both products are from China . What should I do with them  ?--- like to send them back to China so they can destroy them ----- I fear for our children that are wearing these products for play and handle them everyday !

• December 26, 2010:

  I bought a Hamilton Beach Brew Station 6 Cup Coffeemaker, Model 48272. ... Second time I used it, I excitedly brought the cup to my lips and WHAT was that smell? I tasted it. Godawful taste the same as it smelled. ... For Christmas my girlfriend trying to be nice bought me a Black and Decker CM1509 8 Cup Thermal Programmable Coffeemaker. I followed directions, ran a "cleaning" run of cold water, then brewed a pot of coffee. The first pot was OK. This morning the day after Christmas I happily brewed my first morning pot. As I brought that first cup of my favorite coffee to my lips, the aroma of burnt plastic reached my nose. Confused, I took a sip. Yes the coffee tasted like burnt plastic. It tasted familiarly like the Hamilton Beach. Aha, I said. Let me look at the box. Yes it was manufactured in China. ... After drinking this coffee I made a fresh pot with my French Press. It smelled good. But the BAD taste persisted. ... I went and brushed my teeth, gums, all the surfaces of my mouth. I blew my nose.  I tried the FP coffee again. Thank God, it tasted as it should. What pernicious substance would cling to my mucous membranes and affect my taste buds and nose sensors so as to make foods that come in contact with it carry that poisonous flavor? What recourse do we citizens of the world have?

• December 10, 2010:

  Recently I have come across a new item. It was a cheap $5.00 Chinese watch with a plastic strap. The smell was so strong that the smell clung to my wrist after wearing the watch only a couple of hours. This happened after I tried washing the smell off with soap and water. I had to take the watch off because the strong smell started making me feel sick. I am very concerned with the chemicals in these plastics. The fact that they make me ill adds to my alarm. Have you had any developments?

• December 9, 2010:

  If you are still collecting names of products with chemical smells: Sakar International's Digital Concepts 30 minute battery charger. Hard to describe the odor -- except very unpleasant, but on the sweet side.  Handling the product transfers odor to your skin and it is hard to wash off. Is there any organized effort to get this situation corrected -- and stop the import of  products that are coming from China with horrible odors and unknown health risks?

• December 7, 2010:

  I was researching this when I came across your post. I just purchased several inexpensive desk/floor mats from Staples. These were definitely made in China and they REEK! The smell almost knocked me over (like a cross between rubbing alcohol and gasoline). No doubt I'll be returning them to the store, but there is definitely some sort  of gaseous toxic emission from these mats. No wonder they were selling them at 60% off!  Staples, like Wal-Mart and other retail super-giants, buy the bulk of there "house-branded" products from China. They seem to only be concerned about price and probably do not question quality or safety. What's a consumer to do?

• December 5, 2010:

  I recently bought a power tool made in China that had the same odor that I remembered from other items I have bought that were made in China. I have to add that I bought a case of sand paper back in 1995 that had the same odor. I think the history of these chemicals goes back further than you stated in your web article. I am worried about this odor as I assume it is some sort of pesticide or anti-fungal agent that could not possibly be healthy for humans. I also bought foam ground pads for camping and I could not even use them as they smelled so bad. There was no way I was going to sleep on these pads with the horrible gasses coming out of them. Just thought I would add my 2 cents.

• November 26, 2010

  I have experienced chemical odor offgassing from numerous items in the past few years. i have pet birds and get really worried about their well being. The latest and by far most notable came from christmas items made in China and sold through Restoration hardware. They are Snowflake hanging  decorations made from glass glitter, glass bulbs wire etc. they are in stores and catalogue now. The packaging just knocked me over..I unwrapped them as quickly as i could, with gloves on the source seemed to be stretchy form wrapped around the glass ornament pieces.similar to the stretchy foam on wire hangars you find that keeps things from slipping off hangers. smelled like kerosene, gasoline and formeldehyde all rolled into one..I actually developed a headache, which went away when i went outdoors for a couple of minutes. What is it with these foreign products!!! most recently 2 upolstered benches, a bed, a "good Quality" and expensive Wool area rug,(that also has Fibers that will probably keep coming out until it is bare, but I keep vaccuming the debris/ incessant fuzz. All really noxious. clothing, bedding Aren't there limits to this on manufactured goods? or just EPA US goods. I've been able to return some items..can't tell in stores. but once in the car!!!! I've driven back . This issue needs publicity. What labs can test for this stuff, any names? i'll save a bit of the foam padding) Thanks for listening

• November 4, 2010:

  I have noticed that almost all the products that are rubber based from China do smell.  In some stores (especially the dollar stores) It unbearable to walk down an isle that has these products.  Why hasnt anyone done something about this?  I had purchased a pair of "leather shoes" that had been made in China.  I didnt notice the smell until got home they had that same Funky smell that the rubber products have.  Also the Rubber boots that are from China also has that funky smell.  Somebody has to do something.  what is causing that horrible smell?  Most of the products are in direct contact with human skin!!!  Do we need to be worried?

• Smelly plastic. 2011-3-2: "What on earth is China using for plastics in the shower head?? This thing smell so bad that I'm tempted to pull it out and take it back to store. So far it works well but if it's anything like most bath room fixtures, I doubt it will work very well for long. PLEASE bring back American made products! I'm willing to pay more for them! ..."

• Heys 20" Spinner and Beauty Hard Case Luggage. 11-22-2010: "Absolutely Cute & Stylish in the Leopard....but...the odor emanating from these pieces is overwhelming & I am not one who is touchy & sensitive!! I left it out on my back patio to air hoping it would help. It didn't."

  "Also, has anyone noticed the tag on the handle which is a warning that the "product contains chemicals known to the state of California to cause CANCER, or birth defects or other reproductive harm.)? It is bound to be those chemicals that we are smelling!"

  "Was very disappointed once I opened the luggage. The smell was horrible. The only way I can describe this was a mildew, musty and/or medicine smell. I even aired it out for three days and still no change."

• Industrial Chemicals. 2010: "Synthetic materials, including high quality fibers and rubbers, also present a significant export opportunity. Many Chinese chemical factories currently produce these products, but at a rate only sufficient enough to fulfill about half of domestic demand per year. Local products are also inconsistent in quality and can be highly toxic."

• Sierra Comfort Professional Series Portable Massage Table. September 22, 2010: "it is worth the money, but it is stinky chinese plastic covered so you need to let it out gas as it stinks in a toxic way, so you need to cover it after out gassing is done".

• What is "that smell" regarding handbags.... 8/20/2010: "I have been a bagaholic for years now, and used to be rather skeptical at the posters who would complain that the bag they received had a terrible toxic odor, enough to even ruin the smell of your home, etc. ... Once you have received a bag with this "odor", you'll never forget it. If you haven't, you can't imagine how lucky you are and how unbelievably toxic this smell is."

  "I call it...the made in China scent! If you notice, products made in China have a very distinct odor."

  "I got a handbag years ago and when I opened the pkg. it just reeked from diesel fuel! We knew that smell because we drive diesel vehicles. I promptly sent it back! Why China would douse items in diesel fuel is beyond me. American made for me all the way with everything now."

  "My BIL is a maritime attorney in Seattle, his firm watches over all the ships that come into port with merchandise from China. He's told us for years that it's the 'made in China scent'. Some stores air them out, others don't bother."

  "There are certain plastic items from China that I call it the "Chinese plastic smell". I had a calculator that reeked. I also ordered an ozone-type air cleaner from QVC a couple years ago, it's pretty bad when an AIR CLEANER itself smells so bad you can't use it. I tried washing it, and airing it out in the garage for almost a month to no avail."

  "I've noticed this too. The smell can't be healthy for us. China has the highest cancer rate in the world. Surely if the U. S. isn't second, we will be soon."

• Sunbeam 3916 Heritage Series 2-Slice Toaster. July 10, 2010: "Little Sunbeam in China is made with cheap materials... Black handles, levers, nesting and bone marrow are low, thin, smelly, soft, shiny plastic of poor quality. ...It stinks sixth. With common sense and follow the instructions before using. expecting to stink the small toaster with the first few attempts (without bread) – open a window – they leave from the air. I hope that the plastic not be more off the usual smell of plastic from China. Maybe I get rid of the toaster when it comes to emit odors continue – in fact it hurts me. It seems that China, a low melting point plasticizers that some people used to make sick. If you do not save themselves a dollar or go Harbor Freight Tools business without developing a headache and nausea, this toaster can make you sick as a new Chinese-made shower curtains."

• Audio-Technica AT2020 USB Condenser Microphone. July 4th, 2010: "Another problem is the faux leather case, which gasses off a WD-40 like smell and makes me sick. Whatever this smelly chemical is it is apparently common in cheap chinese plastic products and has caused me headaches and provoked me to repeatedly try and puke. Leave it to China to include toxic waste with your purchase."

• Colin Cowie Set of 8 Basket Weave Charger Plates . 07/03/2010: "Can't believe I ordered these awful things!! Plastic from China you would get in the dollar store, and..They STINK too high heaven! I tried washing, airing outside, nothing could ever erase the stink. I couldn't send them back, couldn't stand to handle the paper and packaging again! I am going to call HSN for a refund, again, DON"T TRY THIS PRODUCT!!!!"

• Why do many Made in China products smell like Toxic Death? 07-01-2010: From phone cords to furniture and everything in between, I have noticed that many products that are made in China have this hideous toxic smell. What is it? Is this some kind of chemical warfare agent? Just kidding. But seriously, the smell is on the product themselves so I don't think it has to do with shipping containers. It takes forever for the smell to go away and sometimes it just doesn't. It can't possibly be healthy for you. Anyone know the answer?"

• Home Shop Machinist & Machinist's Workshop BBS. 05-12-2010: "Smelly Chinese Plastics. In the last five months alone, I've bought three items made of plastic or hard rubber that had such strong odors that I had to throw them out. All of the items were made in China. This seems to be a new ( to me) problem with Chinese products; their rubber and plastics compounding can be improper, and result in excessive odors." "Chinese rubber products do smell..... very strongly." "The smell of Chinese rubber and plastics is like going to garbage dump."

• Sigma Makeup Brushes. March 10, 2010: "I think that’s the one brush in the whole set that I have not used yet. Oh wait, the SS168 too b/c it SMELLS like plastic from China. EW." "Do they smell? Yes, after about six weeks of washing them, there’s still a noticeable smell. It was stronger in the first week or two of washings, but there’s still an off-putting scent there. I don’t usually notice it when using it, but since I knew it was a question being asked, I made sure to do a sniff-test throughout!"

• How to get rid of chemical smell on small plastic toy figures made in china? 2009: "sold by sue rider charity shop, I was told they were tested for safety. The smell is very strong and affect the room in which they are kept."

• Water Pik Pik Sm 451 Hand Held Shower Massage. Oct 21, 2009: "More stinky (toxic?) plastic from China. CONS Cheap Chinese plastic smells horrible and will stink up your room! Many plastic products made in China have a strong stink that at best smells like cat urine. I've read that this may be caused by a mould-release agent but whatever it is, God only knows how toxic it is, and I've noticed it only in plastics made in China. What I can't understand is how a reputable company like WaterPik accepts this for their products. Does no one at the company ever open one of their own packages? If you buy one of these shower heads, first wash it in warm soapy water and then let it sit and air outside for a month or so before bringing it into your home. (Mine is the chrome finish, not white -- don't know if this makes any difference)."

• Decoration I bought Smells Horrible. 09-17-2008: I bought this Egyptian vase decoration for Fresh and saltwater fish. ... Anyways.... I'm not sure if it's the plastic or what it is but it stinks HORRIBLY bad. I have soaked it all day in extremely hot water , I sprayed it with vinegar nothing helps get rid of this smell. It's not a plastic or paint smell but it's like something chemical I dont' know what the smell is but it's not getting much better. The tag says made in China. GGGRRR which I never would have wasted my money if I had known that. What should I do now? It says it's aquarium safe but I am having my doubts. Should I just toss it? Will the smell affect the fish?

• Keurig B60 — Tastes and smells like plastic? Sept. 7, 2008: "I received a B60 for Christmas and the water coming out tastes and smells like plastic."

  "I have the B70 Platinum brewer and yes, I too have the taste and smell of plastic! I have called Keurig and they are shipping me out a new reservoir and K-cup. They know about the issue and think the smell and taste is confined to the reservoir. ...Who knows if China plastic is great to drink!"

  "I am having the same problem as everyone else with my Platinum Keurig brewing system. I gave up on it after running it through multiple water cycles, and then water and vinegar cycles. ... I got a big whiff of the chemical smell just by taking it out of the box! Strange! Makes you wonder how healthy it is to drink coffee from this machine!"

  "Don't own a Keurig but can tell you ~ this plastic taste is in OTHER machines too. We've owned Mr. Coffees over the last year (3 pots), one other brand (?) from a Wegman's here, and now a Cooks from Penney's (it's the best so far but still has the smell). We kept repurchasing rinsing, washing, and you name it. It fills the air with its awful odor. We've tried rinsing but it never works. The smell is IN the plastic the water runs through and the filter. There is something seriously wrong here but we don't know who we should alert."

  "yes it is happenign to me too. i ahve washed the unit several times and ran gallons of water through it and it still tastes like a toxic blend of coffee and melted legos."

  "I am happy to come across this discussion, since at least I know we are not alone in our house with this issue and our new Keurig Model B77. My husband and I can both detect a bogus plastic-like smell and taste from the brew made with our machine. We have had other coffee makers in the past and have never had this issue."

• SOLO Expandable Messenger Bag. February 25, 2008: "It does have a strange odor though, and my wife, who doesn't particularly appreciate strange odors, told me to return it and spend a little more for something a bit better".

• That toxic "made in China" smell. Aug-20-07: "What is the deal with the horrible smell that some items made in China emit? I bought an ottoman last year that had the most God-awful smell when you opened it up. The odor was really chemical in nature and very very strong. ... I recently bought a new bedroom set (also made in China because it's just about impossible to find any furniture that isn't made somewhere else these days) and it is really, really toxic smelling. The chest of drawers, in particular, is overwhelming when you open any of the drawers.

  I don't remember furniture smelling like that back in the not-so-distant past. It used to be that they smelled kind of good, kind of like WOOD! I started getting curious about what the heck they put in nowadays that makes them smell so bad. And I'm also worried that it might unhealthy to sleep in a room that is permeated with this toxic smell. And finally, I'm wondering if there is any way to get rid of the smell. I checked on the web and there was a lot of complaining about this issue, but no good ideas of how to deal with it--other than not buying furniture made in China, which I guarantee I will not do again."

• Fisher-Price recalls toys worldwide. August 03, 2007: "I recently bought 2 items that looked good but when received the items delivered to my home, the 2 items smelled so bad. A strong rubber smell that will not go away even after weeks n months. The smell is disturbing. I know some ppl can say it is brand new n thus has a smell... but the smell is "distinct" and only certain types of rubber or plastic has that kind of smell."

  "What about those stickers (Barbie, Mickey, Marvel Comics etc) that are sold in pasar malams. They have very strong smell too. Are they safe? Come to think of it, I think a lot of children's stuff sold in pasar malams are Made in China."

• Plastic goods from china smell bad? 2007: "i have been looking for a sink mat. it is a plastic sheet with cutouts to put in the bottom of your kitchen sink to make it a softer surface to help keep from breaking glasses, etc. i have found them in several stores, from the dollar store to bed, bath, and beyond, to lowes. they seem to be the same product (just different prices) and are produced in china. they smell bad. actually they stink. some plastics have a slight odor but these things have a very strong smell that doesn't go away. so, does anyone have any idea why this particular product smells so bad and is it harmful to people."

• TOXIC AMERICA: SCENTED CANDLES, PLUG-INS, PERFUMES, AND OFFSHORE PLASTICS. February 19, 2007: "Another cousin of mine bought a new computer and when she opened the carton in which the printer was packed, before she even set it up, she got a massive headache, sore throat, and burning eyes as it exuded an odor straight from Hell. It smelled like Chinese, plastic death. She put it in the garage to outgas, unlike people, it never did. ...I bought some poker chips, made also in China; they smelled much like the printer, some of the chips, in fact, were the same colors as the printer. ...Six months later, they smelled like the offspring of the printer ...A bit later I bought a board game with plastic parts, five minutes after opening them, they were banished off to the garage. ...Ray bought a huge, plush, wood carved, leather, desk chair to impress clients and a girlfriend...We went over to look at it, actually, rather to smell it. It smelled like the latest toxic leather gloves one buys nowadays and stuffs into a plastic bag and throws in the tool shed-too expensive to throw away, to worn from scrubbing with saddle soap to get the odor out of, but never can, to return. ...Most of the thiings which were too toxic to contend with, were from China, some from Mexico and other offshore manufacturers. I had been writing Federal agencies for more than a decade insisting that many scented candles and plug-ins contained carcinogenic chemicals, as well as vaso-constrictors, (which narrow arteries) but only recently was that verified in an email from a NYTimes article."

  Possible Earliest Reports (origin of item not specified):

  • new suitcase..... weird smell!! 03-10-2006: "Off to the mall to buy new carry ons. I bought 2 and they are a recognizable brand and will fit the bill but when I took out the stuffings I noticed this chemical-ish smell. It's not 'overpowering' but it is noticeable and I'd rather not have my clothing smelling like this."

  • Getting plastic smell out of new luggage. February 21, 2006: "I bought a new suitcase recently, and when I got it home discovered that the interior (which is lined in some sort of plastic or vinyl) has a very strong plastic-y/chemical smell. I've tried leaving it open to air out, I've tried putting some dryer sheets inside and closing it, but nothing has helped abate the stank. I'm going on a trip on Thursday and don't want my clothes to reek of chemicals! Any ideas?"

• Cheap Cheap Humidifier Did Not Guarantee Better Delivery Performance. 19.09.2010: "Deputy Secretary-General Director of China Society of the Golden Lion environment, said: “plastic taste is one of the bad smell of plastic products issued by popular it is called, really is not qualified plastic taste, and only when using a low-grade plastics raw materials, additives, etc. they say will produce plastic taste, the smell is one of the toxic and harmful substances evaporate the taste. ” "

• How to deodorize plastic sandals. 2010-7-23: Buy a new plastic sandals, plastic taste is very pungent, washed with water, drying off, no effect.

• How to deodorize plastic taste. 2010-4-13: I have a kitchen microwave cabinets are specifically placed in plastic containers. But the recent discovery that the cupboard stank smell, and throw all the plastic containers, is still a foul smell! No matter what is put into things, especially plastics, not a few hours will be infected with the smell, indelible.

• Buy a new plastic smell stink AcBel ip470. April 1, 2010: Buy a new plastic smell stinks AcBel ip470 who answers the next. . Is this a new kind of power supply buy. Everything is normal, that is very foul smell that plastic can not stand God. ,,. Has nothing to do can be resolved."

• Haier Washing Machine xqb50-s918 foul plastic taste is how is it? 2010-2-14: The work of the new Haier washing machine for ten minutes, the room to smell of plastic filled with great taste, just like burning plastic skin, as seen over the two said that washing machines sale no problem, that is, taste great point, do not know how the case . Washing machine has been used several times now, not the first time, taste is still very large. When the first taste with the largest TV drama throughout the home are filled with the pungent flavor. Advisory Service, said so like a month later, Haier is environmentally friendly materials used. How environmentally friendly materials will smell so much? Depressed, really is sorry, just replace the old machine will not be so small Swan ah. This is our trusted international brand?

  Dear Haier user: Hello, I'm sorry to inconvenience you use! New purchase, a plastic taste, it is normal, you can rest assured, if you can please leave your contact information, we will arrange a responsible officer to contact you.

• A smell so that residents can not open the window. Yesterday a reporter went to Mr. Zhang Jinshan Garden District where residents told reporters that they had been an odor smoked more than six months. "From the summer home there is an odor similar to plastic." Zhang said, the balcony windows often are afraid to open. He was worried that the taste will definitely affect the body, especially children and pregnant women can cause harm. Nanjing, then press the EPA to reflect the problem. After understanding that the plant is a production of automotive exterior products business, he called Yanfeng Automotive Exterior Systems Europe Ltd, Nanjing Branch. ...The company is leasing the Nanjing Automobile Instrument Co., Ltd plant, raw materials for the plastic particles and coating raw materials, production facilities, mainly in injection molding production line and painting line. The process: After the injection molding of plastic particles by the dressing, then pretreatment coating, spray drying. More than two months before the survey in Nanjing Environmental Monitoring detachment discovered that injection molding and painting the company part of a drying process emissions.

• Plastic cups plastic taste stinks, but also to use it? 2009-01-09: "I bought a cup, a very smelly plastic taste, I use heat blisters, but still so smelly. My mother told me not to use, I do not dare to use it, I'm afraid of poisonous, but I really like that cup, and now the cups are very smelly, unless you buy expensive, but the expensive ones may not be able to get good, and now the fake plenty. ... What are some good suggestions? further add that if I buy those expensive plastic cup, then it does not stink, I can heat the water go?

• Response relationship: 2009-12-05: "How many old people still remember: Thirty years ago, the blue sky, clear rivers, wind and rice thousand waves, wind-swept pastures full of cows and sheep on the beautiful scene."

  "Today, around garbage dump, smelly plastic, Xiu Shui waste gas, gray days, pesticides and fertilizers do not give you food plus hormone Sudan Clenbuterol be good ancestors to eat rice, destroying their future food."

• Spring to water purification please. 2008-11-11: "July 2008 I installed a spring to water purifiers, plastic smell out of the water has taste, for the one, There is the smell, now take it maintenance, ... and that out of the water from the water purifier has foul plastic taste And how to explain? Tap water is not such a bad smell. ... If this foul plastic taste of the water is harmful, then the responsibility of who should bear it? Milk with melamine eat stones, and that water is foul plastic taste will drink out of cancer? Can manufacturers in a responsible attitude to life to do a careful inspection, Give a reasonable interpretation?"

• How to remove the pungent smell of plastic glasses and plastic taste? ? ? 2008-05-27: "I recently bought a sun glasses ~! Very nice ~! But I can not find time to smell the eyes ~! The taste of burning plastic is like ~! Very smelly ~! How to do? ? ? Who has a way to get rid of the smell to ~! (Do not buy a good report to send me!! Because I like the glasses) 'Evil' Ji drama."

• Made a thorough investigation to establish the public to report odor bags. 2008-2-26: "Currently, Lanzhou some traders use plastic bags do not meet national health standards, plastic bags, the smell is foul, the quality is not good. Plastic products manufacturing expert advice that the original manufacturer of plastic bags in the production technology greatly reduced, in order to reap huge profits, a reduction in the disinfection of links minus, would have resulted in plastic bags, health is not up to direct contamination of the environment and human health.

  To this end, I suggest the Government departments from the market investigation, the six steps, find the production source, the total elimination of the products do not meet health standards. In strict accordance with product standards do not engage in the production of enterprises to be severely punished, such as revocation of business licenses, increased economic sanctions, causing serious consequences shall be investigated for criminal liability. Establish public reporting system by all means to prevent harm to people's health and pollute the environment smelly plastic bags. Circulation on the market has destroyed all smelly plastic bags, the dealer acts of deliberate indulgence distribution, be financial penalties."

  ---

  Chinese Companies responding to the problem of smelly plastic:

• On the magnitude of the problems of toxic chemicals being faced by people in China: A waste plant, a dead baby and a fight for justice. Feb 2, 2011: "Rapid industrialisation has caused toxic materials to be dumped across the mainland, and The Southern Metropolis News has exposed cancer villages in at least Zhejiang , Jiangsu , Shandong and Anhui provinces and Tianjin municipality."

• Linhai City Plastic Technology Co., Ltd. Hong Kang "Pvc suction supply, environmental protection, non-toxic, odorless plastic sucker [direct selling, the price is cheap!]"

• china made plastic contact lens mate, happy girl heart shape contact lenses case CT328. "Specifications: 1) mini size with useful accessories 2) smooth shape and hygien,focus on detail 3) non-smell and high quality material".

• Plastic Deodorant : "Processing at the plastic, the polymer will often bring a lot of small molecule organic compounds. These small organic molecules will change the character of polymer, bring peculiar smell,even become a health risk.Plastic deodorant can decompose these small molecule,can eliminate thepeculiar smell. Our plastic deodorant has good dispersion ,googd absorption and reaction.It don't change the character of plastic.The most important is that our plastic deodorant is flavourless,but i can eliminate the peculiar smell completely. It can be used in PP, PE, PVC, ABS, PS and other plastics."

• China, Jiefang Xie, became popular in the United States. August 30, 2010: "However, Walters requested Jiefang Xie appropriate changes to remove plastic smell and so prohibiting the use of azo-dye materials, make it look very stylish. The strict requirements of the Americans, in a second" No" , finally, in 2007, Sirius's shoes to meet all his requirements. talk development of this trial period, Cui China is still" haunt" ," Just remove the plastic smell of the test a dozen times, the last use of the second curing technology to solve problems, and upper fabric selection to find the area in Jiangsu and Zhejiang 56 printing giant.""

"Thousands of Britons who were seriously burnt after sitting on 'toxic sofas' could be in line for compensation totalling £10million. Fifteen retailers including Argos, Homebase and Land of Leather are in the dock after admitting the cheap leather sofas from China were dangerous. Some 200,000 of them were sold, and it is thought tens of thousands of customers could make claims for ill-health and financial loss. ...

The sofas caused fierce allergic reactions in people of all ages. A number required emergency hospital treatment for serious burns, while the symptoms may even have contributed to some deaths. The problem was caused by sachets of a chemical called dimethyl fumarate, an anti-mould agent put inside the sofas to stop them deteriorating during storage and transportation.

DMF can be toxic in tiny amounts, causing serious blistering and bleeding of the skin. Some victims suffered eye problems while others had difficulty breathing. They are furious that retailers which sold thousands of suspect items failed to issue proper warnings and recalls after customers reported falling ill. For many months, the stores continued to sell the sofas and simply brushed away the concerns of customers. This meant hundreds were unable to identify the reason why they were so ill and continuing to get worse. . . .

The chemical behind all the suffering, dimethyl fumarate, is a fungicide and considered so dangerous that those who have to work with it wear protective clothing. Yet Chinese furniture makers simply put it in sachets inside sofas. Presumably they believed that, because the powder was inside the sofa, no one would come to harm. But body heat from those sitting on the furniture made the DMF evaporate. The toxic vapour then seeped out and found its way to its victims."

• Clothes from China. 1/11/2011: "I recently bought a couple pairs of 100% cotton flannel pajama pants that were made in China, and I have also noticed the horrific petroleum smell after washing out the horrific fragrance, If you have ever been around dirty automotive rags, that is basically what the smell is like. After washing several times, the smell isn't as strong, but is still there. I have decided I will never again buy any clothing labeled made in China. The way this smells, it has got to be toxic."

  08/09/2010: "I have been working for a company that has 90% of their clothing line made in China and the problems that come from it.  We've had so many shipments that the smell is so bad people have to air them out for a week before putting them in their store.  And they can never put them into plastic bins - because the odor is absorbed and then the bins become unusable.  I know that sometimes the problem is from them packaging our clothes into plastic bags before they completely dry after the dyeing process.  That is an odor that never seems to come out - no matter how many times the item is washed.  I love my job and the people I work with - but this is one area that I truly dislike.  Please don't  reveal my name - I like being employeed."

• Not just plastic, either. 05-13-2010: "My daughter gave me a nice ($) robe for Christmas, made in China. Smelled too bad to wear, or even have in the house. Washed it numerous times, and tried airing it by hanging in the house. No go, still smelled bad." "I have noticed this smell on toys bought by the old lady at the dollar store for our daughter. I always throw them out."

• What is "that smell" regarding handbags.... 8/20/2010: "Last week I ordered a couple of Brahmin bags - the smell was so strong, I called the company to ask about it....While getting them ready for the box, I handled them both. Within a minute or two, I had a metallic taste on the top of my tongue which has not gone away. Both bags were mad ein China."

  "Not only do the handbags smell but I bought a leather coat from the Q last year and it had that same horrible smell. I returned it for another one and it also had the same smell....that one went back also. They were made in China."

• New Furniture Odor.

  • 11/28/07: "Our son was bequethed 5 huge pieces of beautiful bedroom furniture that was made in China. The set was only 2 years old. He has no room at his apartment for it, so we took it in and put it in two bedrooms until he has his house. I cannot tolerate the smell that is still exuding from the furniture. I keep the windows cracked open in those rooms, but still the smell is horrible. I am worried that it is toxic. Any thoughts please?"

    "I recently received several pieces of furniture (dresser, chest, etc...) from Raymour Flanigan's Build-a-Bear collection. The leadtime on this furniture was 8 weeks, due to the fact that it was manufactured in China. In any case, the toxic smell coming from this furniture is unbearable. My child has been forced to sleep in the guess room as a result. We have tried everything concoction under the sun to eliminate this odor. Nothing seems to work."

  • 02/11/08: "I also just bought a baby changing station from babys r us, and it reeks as well. Spent a long time assembling it, so I'm returning it assembled. Made in China, so God only knows what toxins its made of. Maybe a coincidence, but my noise starting bleeding after I finished putting it together."

    "i have bought & returned white children's shelves from target after weeks of "airing" them out. i have now had 3 pieces of white furniture from crate and barrel that still reeked after 6 weeks. they are picking them up. from china.they said several people have complained, but have no answers. the chemical smell caused headaches, sore throat, etc."

  • 06/10/08: "Black lacquered furniture from Crate and Barrel (flat-pack, put it together yourself, Made in China) bookcase/cabinet is making my child sick. Put it together Sunday evening in the living room and my four year old coughed all night."

  • 08/16/08: I purchased a 2 drawer file cabinet from JCPenny . It was delivered this past week. The inside of the drawers and the cabinet itself REEK. After spending hours on the phone with Penney's, I was told the item was made in China and that they uise different paint, sealers, what have you, than we do here."

    "I bought two 5 drawer dressers from Art Van that were made in China. (I didn't realize that when I purchased them.). Cost $500.00. They had an odor which I thought would go away. It's been 8 months. and is still bad. It gets worse when it is humid. The smell is definitly on the finish of the furniture."

    "I purchased a wood dresser from Capa Imports in High Point, N. C. several months ago. I too have a noxious odor coming from the drawers!!! I have tried to aire out the drawers and it seems to be better~~~ but as soon as the drawers are closed the odor returns!!! I know that the furniture was made in CHINA!!!! Is this chemical odor something that I should be worried about?"

• 10/04/09: "I have gotten that I will not purchase furniture made in china because they all stick so bad. I recently bought a chair from Ashley furniture because the tag said it was N. Carolina and sure enought when I got it, the box said made in Vietnam and it too that that awful stench that I can hardly stand. The question is, DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW TO GET RID OF THIS AWFUL SMELL."