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Almond smell from polypropylene boxes

Hi, two months ago I purchased some polypropylene storage boxes. Every box includes a base and a separate lid and was factory shrink-wrapped.

When I open a box it releases a strong almond smell that quickly dissipates in the air. Unfortunately if I close again the box and reopen it after some minutes, the odor resurfaces.

Leaving the boxes open in the open air did not solved the problem. In other words, I can't eliminate this disagreeable smell that apparently concentrates inside the box when closed.

As a layman, I have some questions for you experts:

  1. What is the cause of this almond smell?
  2. Can this odor be toxic if inhaled by humans, especially children?
  3. Are this boxes suitable for long-term storage of paper artworks?
  4. How can I eliminate the smell?

Thanks Joe

Reply to
joe.smith878
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Clarifying agents in PP are known to generate this kind of odor due to = residual aldehydes, for example:

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Go to section "B.Bitter Almond" in this reference:

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If you d> Hi,

Reply to
Rolf Wissmann

Hi Rolf, the links you suggested were very helpful to understand the cause of the almond smell.

However they leave the following question unanswered: the plastic boxes were purchased to storage some rare handwritten notebooks, books and wooden pencils. What could happen when this objects lie into the plastic storage box for weeks, months, years? Could they absorb the almond smell? Could the paper or the wood of the pencils be damaged?

Thanks in advance

Joe

residual aldehydes, for example:

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reference:

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Reply to
joe.smith878

example:

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reference:

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Reply to
Rolf Wissmann

If I understand correctly, the smell is benzaldehyde. I think that benzaldehyde is only slightly toxic and will not harm paper or the like. It might even keep away bugs. However, for storing really valuable things I would also recommend something else, like Aluminum boxes. Harald.

Rolf Wissmann schrieb in im Newsbeitrag: gbd865$99s$00$ snipped-for-privacy@news.t-online.com... Unfortunately, I have no experience on your specific storage issue, but for very sensitive, valuable, historic (note)books I would probably stay away from a plastic container, unless it is specifically sold as "archival quality storage box".

Joe

Reply to
hoe

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