Almond smell from polypropylene boxes

[joe.sm...@gmail.com]

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

[Rolf Wissmann]

Clarifying agents in PP are known to generate this kind of odor due to residual aldehydes, for example:
http://www.lyondell.com/lyondell/techlit/techlit/Tech%20Topics/General/Nucleating%20and%20Clarifying%20Agents.pdf
http://www.clearpp.com/eng/Why%20Clear/Taste%20and%20Odor/Pages/Tasteandodor.aspx

Go to section "B.Bitter Almond" in this reference:
http://pubs.acs.org/cgi-bin/abstract.cgi/chreay/1996/96/i08/abs/cr950068a.html

If you don't like the odor, you have to find an alternative storage box ...

[joe.sm...@gmail.com]

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

On 23 Set, 14:05, "Rolf Wissmann" <RolfWissm...@t-online.de> wrote:
> Clarifying agents in PP are known to generate this kind of odor due to residual aldehydes, for example:http://www.lyondell.com/lyondell/techlit/techlit/Tech%20Topics/Genera...http://www.clearpp.com/eng/Why%20Clear/Taste%20and%20Odor/Pages/Taste...
>
> Go to section "B.Bitter Almond" in this reference:http://pubs.acs.org/cgi-bin/abstract.cgi/chreay/1996/96/i08/abs/cr950...

>
> If you don't like the odor, you have to find an alternative storage box ...
>

[Rolf Wissmann]

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".

[hoe]

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 <RolfWi...@t-online.de> schrieb in im Newsbeitrag:
gbd865$99s$00$1...@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