Chemical Odours: Paint, Plastics or Something Else?
Updated: 2 days ago
Does This Sound Like Your Odour?
A chemical or plastic-like odour can take several forms. It may smell sharp, sweet, petroleum-like, synthetic, perfumed or similar to a disinfectant. These descriptions are useful clues, but they do not identify the source on their own. Different products and materials can produce similar odours, and smell alone cannot determine which chemical is present or its concentration. [1][2][3]
Sharp, Sweet or Solvent-Like
This odour may seem sharp, dry and artificial. It can have a sweetish, fruity or mint-like edge and may seem to reach the nose quickly. [1][2][4]
The smell may remind you of:
Nail-polish remover or acetone
Marker ink
Contact cement or a strong glue
Fresh paint, lacquer or a coating
Paint thinner or solvent
A sweet, fruity or mint-like chemical smell
Petroleum, Fuel or Oily
This odour may seem more aromatic and petroleum-like than a typical paint smell. It can be sweet, sharp, oily or similar to the air around a service station. [1][5]
The smell may remind you of:
Gasoline or petrol
A service station
Lighter fluid
Fuel or kerosene
An oily petroleum product
A sweet, aromatic gasoline-like smell
Plastic, Vinyl or Rubbery
This odour may seem less sharp than a solvent odour. It can resemble newly manufactured synthetic material and may be more noticeable in a warm or closed room.[1]
The smell may remind you of:
Vinyl flooring
A new shower curtain
Plastic packaging
Synthetic rubber
Foam or upholstery padding
A newly opened plastic or electronic product
Fragranced, Cleaner or Disinfectant-Like
This odour may seem floral, lemony, pine-like, medicinal or strongly perfumed rather than sharply chemical. [1]
The smell may remind you of:
Perfume or cologne
Floral air freshener
Pine or lemon cleaner
Rubbing alcohol or antiseptic
Bleach or chlorine
A hospital-cleaner or sanitizing-product smell
First, Rule Out an Immediate Safety Problem
If strong fumes begin after household products are mixed, spilled or used incorrectly, move to fresh air. Do not add other products in an attempt to neutralize the smell. If someone may have been harmed, contact a poison centre or health-care provider. Health Canada warns that some household-chemical combinations can produce harmful gases. [6] |
What Can Cause a Chemical Smell in the House?
A chemical, plastic-like or “new” odour can come from products and materials that release volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, into indoor air. The smell alone cannot identify the specific chemical or determine its concentration. [3]
Paints, coatings and adhesives: Fresh paint, stain, varnish, caulk, sealants, flooring adhesive and contact cement can release odours as they dry or cure. [3][7]
Furniture and building materials: Composite-wood products, cabinetry, new furniture, flooring, carpet, foam and upholstery can release formaldehyde and other VOCs. [3][7][8]
Cleaning, fragranced and stored products: Cleaners, air fresheners, scented laundry products, disinfectants, hobby supplies and stored household chemicals can create a perfumed, solvent-like or disinfectant-like odour, particularly in enclosed areas. [3][7]
An attached garage or stored fuels: Vehicle emissions, gasoline, fuel, solvents and lawn-equipment products can migrate from an attached garage into the home through gaps, doors or other air pathways. [3][7]
Why a Persistent Chemical Smell in the House Matters
New paint, flooring, furniture, cabinetry, adhesives and other renovation materials can produce noticeable odours for a period of time after installation. These odours may come from VOCs or from other compounds released by the materials. A persistent chemical, plastic-like or “new” odour does not necessarily mean that concentrations are hazardous, but it can indicate that a material is still emitting compounds or that odours are accumulating because of limited ventilation. [3][7][8]
If the smell continues for weeks or months, disappears and returns, or becomes stronger with heat, humidity or operation of the ventilation system, the pattern can provide useful clues. The source may be a recently installed material, a coating or adhesive, stored products, contamination absorbed into porous materials, or air moving from another part of the building.
Odour strength does not measure health risk. Some chemicals can be detected by smell at very low concentrations, while others may be present without a noticeable odour. The actual concern depends on the substances present, their concentration and the duration of exposure. Smell alone cannot identify a chemical or determine its concentration. [3]
Possible Health Effects
Depending on the chemical and the level of exposure, some people may experience: [3][8]
Eye, nose or throat irritation
Headache
Dizziness or nausea
Coughing or respiratory irritation
Worsening symptoms in people who are sensitive to particular chemicals
These effects are not specific to VOCs or chemical odours and should not be used to diagnose an exposure. Some chemicals may have effects beyond immediate irritation, particularly at higher concentrations or with prolonged exposure. [3]
The practical priority is to identify and reduce the source rather than mask the odour with fragrances. Anyone with health concerns they believe may be related to indoor air should speak with a health professional.
An odour is a clue to investigate the source. It does not identify the substance, measure its concentration or diagnose a health condition.
How to Investigate Safely
Start with observations that do not require opening containers, sniffing unknown products, mixing cleaners or dismantling building materials. Health Canada advises against smelling unknown household chemical containers and against mixing household chemical products. [6][9]
Note When and Where the Odour Is Strongest
Record whether the smell is strongest:
After painting, renovating, installing flooring or bringing a new item into the home
In one room, cabinet, closet, storage area or throughout the home
Near new furniture, flooring, cabinetry, carpet, foam or upholstery
When the room becomes warm, sunny or closed up
When heating, air conditioning or an exhaust fan starts
Near an attached garage, a shared wall or a door between the garage and home
Check Recent Materials and Products
Review recent changes without opening or smelling product containers.
Look for:
Recent paint, stain, varnish, adhesive, caulk, sealant or flooring work
New cabinetry, furniture, carpet, vinyl flooring, foam or upholstered items
Products stored near the room where the odour is strongest
A smell that is most noticeable near a newly finished, installed or unpacked item
Paints, coatings, adhesives, furniture and building materials can release VOCs and, in some cases, formaldehyde. [3[7][8]
Check Stored Products and Attached-Garage Areas
From accessible areas, note whether the odour is strongest near a storage cabinet, utility room or attached garage.
Look for:
Cleaning products, hobby supplies, solvents, fuels or lawn-equipment products stored indoors
A visibly leaking, damaged or unsealed product container
An odour that is strongest near the garage door, a shared wall or an air pathway between the garage and home
A change in odour after a vehicle, lawn equipment or fuel container has been in the garage
Vehicle emissions, gasoline, fuel and solvents can migrate from an attached garage into the home through gaps, doors or other air pathways. [3][7]
Note Temperature and Airflow Patterns
Record whether the odour becomes stronger:
When the room is warmer or receives direct sunlight
When windows have been closed for a long period
Near a supply vent, return vent, closet or enclosed storage area
After heating or air conditioning starts
These observations do not identify a chemical or measure its concentration, but they can give a qualified indoor air quality investigator a more useful starting point.
These observations do not diagnose the source, but they can give a plumber, septic professional or qualified indoor air quality investigator a more useful starting point.
What Not to Do
Do not open, taste or deliberately smell an unknown chemical product to identify the odour. [9]
Do not mix household cleaners, solvents, paints or other chemical products. Health Canada warns that some household-chemical combinations can produce harmful gases. [6]
Do not add another product in an attempt to neutralize a chemical smell.
Do not remove flooring, open walls or dismantle HVAC equipment in an attempt to trace the odour.
Do not mask the odour with fragrances, air fresheners or strong cleaners. These products can obscure the pattern and introduce additional odours.
If strong fumes begin after a product is spilled, mixed or used incorrectly, move away from the area. If anyone becomes unwell, contact a poison centre or seek medical care. [6]
When Professional Help Is Appropriate
Choose the professional that fits the pattern:
Hazardous materials or environmental professional: The odour began after a chemical spill, solvent release or unknown product leak, especially if the substance cannot be identified, has spread into porous materials or ventilation systems, or is causing strong irritation.
Renovation contractor or installer: The odour began after painting, flooring, cabinetry, furniture, insulation or other renovation work, remains strongest near the new material, or persists longer than expected. [3][7][8]
HVAC professional: The odour spreads, changes or becomes more noticeable when the heating or air-conditioning system runs, or is strongest near a supply vent, return vent, air handler or condensate drain.
Qualified professional: The odour is strongest near an attached garage or appears related to gasoline, fuel or exhaust. The source may involve the vehicle or equipment, garage ventilation or air leakage into the home. [3][7]
Qualified indoor air quality investigator: Obvious product, renovation, garage and HVAC sources have been considered, but the odour persists, returns after changes have been made, affects several rooms or has no clear source.
If strong fumes begin after a product is spilled, mixed or used incorrectly, move away from the area. If anyone becomes unwell, contact a poison centre or seek medical care. [12]
Questions About a Persistent Chemical, Plastic-Like or “New” Odour??If the source remains unclear or appears to be concealed, an indoor air quality assessment can help determine a safe and practical next step. |
References
[1] California Air Resources Board. White Paper: Odor Complaints, Health Impacts and Monitoring Methods, Appendix A: Odor Wheels. 2019. https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/sites/default/files/classic/research/apr/past/18rd010a.pdf
[2] U.S. Food and Drug Administration. ORA Laboratory Manual, Volume IV, Section 8: Sensory Analysis. 2022. https://www.fda.gov/media/73572/download
[3] Health Canada. Volatile Organic Compounds. Government of Canada, 2023. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/air-quality/indoor-air-contaminants/volatile-organic-compounds.html
[4] Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Toxicological Profile for Acetone: Chemical and Physical Information. https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxprofiles/tp21-c4.pdf
[5] National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Benzene: Systemic Agent. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ershdb/emergencyresponsecard_29750032.html
[6] Health Canada. Use Household Chemicals Safely. Government of Canada, 2024. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/home-safety/household-chemical-safety.html
[7] Health Canada. Improve Indoor Air Quality in Your Home. Government of Canada, 2024. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/air-quality/improve-indoor-air-quality-in-your-home.html
[8] Health Canada. Formaldehyde in Your Home. Government of Canada, 2021. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/environmental-workplace-health/reports-publications/air-quality/formaldehyde-indoor-air-environment-workplace-health.html
[9] Health Canada. Chemical Safety for Renovations and Do-It-Yourself Projects. Government of Canada, 2023. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/home-safety/chemical-diy-projects.html
About the authorJohn Slavich is the founder of Puritas, an indoor air quality investigation service in Greater Montréal. He holds a B.Sc. in Physics, a master’s degree in engineering and several IICRC certifications. His mold investigations draw on the BNQ 3009-600 standard. He holds RBQ general contractor licence 5795-5080-01. |
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