how carcinogenic is new product smell? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: ftransform
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2013, 11:19:22 am
content: I'm inclined to throw my new products out in the sun for a few days so all that volatile crap gets out of them....

author: PeterG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2013, 11:23:28 am
content: I don't know about it being carcinogenic, but i do suspect it has addictive properties........... i seem addicted to that new electronic gear smell......

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2013, 11:56:20 am
content: If you smoke or are frequently exposed to barbeques/deep-fried food, I think that would be a bigger worry...

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2013, 12:16:25 pm
content: I'm more worried about my chemtronics solder wick, damn that stuffs smells good when the flux melts.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 05, 2013, 01:06:51 pm
content: Ah, the smell of old Tektronix equipment, Hummm.

author: gnif
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 05, 2013, 01:36:04 pm
content: I remember the first day I got to open some brand new equipment when I was about 12 years old... I had saved up for a whole year to buy a new motherboard and CPU for my PC. My initial thought as I opened that anti-static bag was, what a strange smell.... but it was too late, I was hooked.It took till I had my first job in a computer repair shop before I got to smell that wonderful smell again. I was building new PC's, so every single one was like getting a little fix... I guess you could say I became obsessive over it for a while.Nothing compares, either you love it or you hate it... either way it is one of those smells that you just have to smell.The strangest smell I ever got from electronics was my hakko clone soldering iron from Jaycar... the thing smelt like it came out of a hospital after soaking in a bucket of disinfectant for a few weeks. It took years for the smell dissipate. Still today if I get close to it I can still smell it, and it smells bad.

author: GK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2013, 01:43:49 pm
content: Nothing quite beats the burnt-dust smell of vintage tube equipment when first turned on after an acquisition.

author: baljemmett
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 05, 2013, 01:54:38 pm
content: Quote from: gnif on June 05, 2013, 01:36:04 pmWhen my hot air station arrived (the 858D+ or whatever the model number is), there was a distinct whiff to the postal packaging. As I was unwrapping it the contents had a similar smell; it took me a while to place it, but it smelt exactly like a pesticide I remember my father using during my childhood. Very strange, makes me wonder what sort of warehouse it lived in before delivery...

author: gnif
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 05, 2013, 02:03:33 pm
content: Quote from: baljemmett on June 05, 2013, 01:54:38 pmI have often wondered if it was fumigated by customs or something before entering the country.

author: plesa
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2013, 02:19:20 pm
content: Quote from: Psi on June 05, 2013, 12:16:25 pmYes, their sweet smell is suspectedOn their flux CW8510 is statement "May cause cancer", but smell is not so good as the solder wick

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2013, 02:24:32 pm
content: Quote from: ftransform on June 05, 2013, 11:19:22 amWhen I order items over Ebay from China, some come in sealed bags, so when I cut them open, I make sure to squeeze the bag and sniff in all the air - it's Chinese air!I'm retired but have a part time job at a small chain store to make sure I can still socialize properly with human beings. Of course, it receives most of the products from China. Some of the decorative items do scare me, as they have the weirdest funky smell. I don't want to know what chemicals they use to make thisjunkstuff.

author: AlfBaz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2013, 02:39:54 pm
content: Given that smell is a strong emotive trigger and we associate the "new smell" with excitement, I wonder how we would judge the smell of a fart if the new gear smelt like it

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2013, 05:30:04 pm
content: Given what is being reported in the UK press today, I would say that if you are a pregnant woman you should net eat your new oscilloscope or dmm.

author: Smithy
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2013, 05:52:02 pm
content: Quote from: ftransform on June 05, 2013, 11:19:22 amIts not volatile crap!it's the smell of 'Victory'.

author: Rick Law
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2013, 06:39:32 pm
content: Don't be afraid of your own shadow. Most plastic will evaporate hydrocarbon in small amount. One day-trip to a major city, breathing there will likely cause a lot more harm. (According to an article I recalled, the author estimate it at same as having 2 cigarette.)Life is not risk free. Your walk from the parking lot to the store is dangerous too. Then there are the high-risk folks who jock around the neighborhood with ear-buds in ear so as they don't have to hear the sound of the truck that is about to ran him/her over. You know, those ear-buds and iPods serves the purpose of the blind-fold they let the prisoner wear as he is tied to the pole and as the firing squard gets ready.Life is full of risk, you best bet is to make it a calculated risk rather than getting into bigger ones while avoiding the lesser.

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2013, 07:33:45 pm
content: Quote from: G7PSK on June 05, 2013, 05:30:04 pmFrom my experience with pregnant women, you'd have a hard time convincing one that an oscilloscope is not food, should she get a craving for it

author: David_AVD
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2013, 10:34:23 pm
content: Probably not carcinogenic, but I bought several sets of Stanley screwdriver sets (in the blow moulded case) a few years ago and every screwdriver smelled of vomit !

author: AlfBaz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2013, 11:01:49 pm
content: Quote from: David_AVD on June 05, 2013, 10:34:23 pmI remember in chemistry a series of compounds that had different "fruity" smells such as apple, banana, pineapple etc. Esters, I think they were called and to me the pineapple smelling one, butyl butyrate, smelt way more like spew than pineapple unless you diluted the smell

author: codeboy2k
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2013, 11:20:13 pm
content: Quote from: David_AVD on June 05, 2013, 10:34:23 pmOh yeah.. that new screwdriver handle smell is the most putrid smell ever.I haven't bought a new screwdriver in a while, but I remember Xcelite is the worst for this. vomit. like. smell.

author: justanothercanuck
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2013, 11:23:43 pm
content: Electrolyte from failed caps smells like stanky fish, and burns your fingers.

author: David_AVD
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2013, 11:35:23 pm
content: Quote from: codeboy2k on June 05, 2013, 11:20:13 pmI just couldn't believe how bad it was. It takes years to wear off them!

author: Rufus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2013, 11:36:23 pm
content: Quote from: David_AVD on June 05, 2013, 10:34:23 pmI got a HOLD-E-ZEE screwdriver (like herehttp://progress-is-fine.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/vanished-tool-makers-upson-bros-inc.html) which was affectionately named Mr Pukey. 20+ years on and you can still smell why.

author: Mike Warren
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 05, 2013, 11:55:08 pm
content: I bought an indoor/outdoor rubber floor mat from Bunnings a few weeks ago. After a couple of days the smell was unbearable. It's been hanging outside in the sun and rain for nearly 2 weeks now and still smells strongly when I walk past it.http://www.bunnings.com.au/products_product_bayliss-100-x-160cm-commercial-grey-grid-mat_P4490250.aspx?search=floor+mat&searchType=any&searchSubType=products&page=8&filter=priceRange--%2450+-+%24100

author: plesa
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2013, 11:58:54 pm
content: Quote from: David_AVD on June 05, 2013, 11:35:23 pmIt will sounds silly but the unwanted smell can be removed by atomic oxygen exposure.This will reduce the hydrocarbons which are main source of smell.

author: chibiace
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2013, 08:27:18 am
content: Nothing like the smell of burning flux to brighten up your day.I doubt new product smell is anywhere near as bad as being stuck in traffic or waiting for the lights at a busy pedestrian crossing.

author: ftransform
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2013, 06:35:23 pm
content: Quote from: plesa on June 05, 2013, 11:58:54 pmozone generator?

author: 4to20Milliamps
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2013, 10:15:03 pm
content: This is your culprit, it's also what makes plastics yellow over time.......especially if they sit in the sun:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brominated_flame_retardanthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bromine

author: Galenbo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2013, 10:26:26 pm
content: Before reading this topic, I ordered a case-stand for my tablet on Ebay.Article located in China.What a plastic smell!It lasted for days, I'm not panicing fast, but here I asked myself if EU stores could sell this, or are the restricted to some label/quality/... ?

author: jh15
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2013, 01:28:40 am
content: In the 70's I used to use Ampex 406/7 tape for reel-reel recording concerts.My friend likened the smell to his old army boots, unusual, but not unpleasant.Suddenly new tapes we purchased smelled like puke, and we called them puke tapes thereafter, not knowing precious masters would later rot.Turns out that was when the Great Oxide Binder Plaque (my words) struck the industry.Years later the tapes would squeel and jam, and baking them would give a brief respite. The binder oozed through the oxide and stuck to the heads and guides.My army boot tapes play to this day.

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2013, 01:16:18 pm
content: A sweet smell on new electronics is probably some chlorinated solvent they used to clean it.

author: nukie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2013, 03:54:22 pm
content: Hah I though it was just my sets!! The ones which smells is those made in the USA, the German made xcelite with soft handles don't smell. I always thought it was some sort of lubricant from the factory but not...Quote from: David_AVD on June 05, 2013, 11:35:23 pm

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2013, 04:10:07 pm
content: The smell on the old tapes is spermaceti oil, it was used as a binder and a lubricant in the tape formula. When whaling was stopped they had to change to other formulations, and found out that these would evaporate and polymerise with time, leading to the tapes turning into a solid block of oxide.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 07, 2013, 05:08:19 pm
content: well, some fetishists smell womens panties, some prefer electronics....

author: lemmegraphdat
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2013, 10:08:01 pm
content: Cambric splicing tape....ahhhh.

author: Rick Law
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2013, 04:16:24 pm
content: Quote from: Citizen on June 07, 2013, 05:08:19 pmHey hey hey, keep this clean now. I was just about to invite a very young lady who is interested in electronics to come investigate...

author: lemmegraphdat
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2013, 05:56:33 pm
content: Quote from: GK on June 05, 2013, 01:43:49 pmFinally got around to trying out my Admiral 6T06-4A1 right now. Bought it two months ago. Some kind of sweet-ish chemical smell. Might be transformer insulation. And music came out.