Strange smell in car - solved

[Sam Vimes]

For a few years now and only occassionally, when I've got into the car there's been a strange smell. It reminds me of the smell you get when you used to open a packet of Daz, Persil or Omo or other such washing powders.

Mostly it would manifest itself first thing in the morning or evening if we were going on a long journey - mostly when towing. I don''t recall it in our previous car but certainly in this latest one. I thought at first it was something to do with the Adblue, which we never had on the previous car - but no.

Two days ago I tracked it down.

When we set off on long journeys, Mrs V likes to take a cup of hot water with her in her ceramic travel mug. Since she's a little incapacitated at the moment, having tripped and fractured her wrist, shes now passing the mug to me before getting in. Just two days ago and on a trip to the hospital she did this and the mysterious smell wafted up as the mug got near my noise and I discovered the smell was coming from the silicon cover on the top of her mug. We're not sure why its got this odour and sure it never used to have it. It does go in the dishwasher so we've stopped that but even today the smell was still apparent but less so.

It's got us wondering what has caused it and could there be health implications due to possible contamination of the hot water in the mug.

If we ever discover why this has happened we'll keep you posted. At least now I know its nothing to do with the car or me

 

[JTQ]

The initial thoughts are it might involve "plasticisers" leaching and that thought, even the possibility of it where it involves something we consume, would have me binning it straight away.

I would be inclined to get her a stainless steel Thermos. We have them [ spoils of travelling in the US] and certainly functionally they work well, and so far I have not read of stainless steel being linked to leaching nasties, well not yet.

 

[Mr Plodd]

Unless it's cheap Chinese mug I wouldn't think there's any health risk likely, these things have to comply with all sorts of regulations.

 

[otherclive]

The initial thoughts are it might involve "plasticisers" leaching and that thought, even the possibility of it where it involves something we consume, would have me binning it straight away.

I would be inclined to get her a stainless steel Thermos. We have them [ spoils of travelling in the US] and certainly functionally they work well, and so far I have not read of stainless steel being linked to leaching nasties, well not yet.

It’s a ceramic mug so no problems there. But
Phthalates used as plasticisers in food packaging, utensils, etc are gradually being seen as leading or contributing to potential health problems. Some 10 years ago The Guardian led with a significant article. On top of microplastics the two agents have entered all areas of the human and natures food chain.

Why phthalates should be restricted or banned from consumer products | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Russ Hauser discusses a paper he co-authored that outlines the health dangers of chemicals called ortho-phthalates and calls for their elimination in consumer products.

hsph.harvard.edu

 

[JTQ]

It’s a ceramic mug so no problems there

Thanks, missed that, so the mug body is not a plastic, but does it feature a polymer seal as being a travel mug I would expect it would need one.

 

[Mel]

I think that some silicone kitchen ware is prone to absorbing odours. We had some silicone baking tray liners. They were awful for it. Ended up in the bin. Also have some silicone spoons that we only use for making curry as cannot get the smell out. This isn’t necessarily true of all silicone products as have some others ( more expensive) that don’t seem to soak up odours.
Mel