Plastic has a smell? Is it toxic?

I bought a sheet of clear plastic from the craft store in the fabric section. When the lady at the fabric counter went to cut it, I noticed (and she noticed!) it had a really strong smell, like rubber or chemicals or something. Really weird. Anyway, I had planned on putting it under Sunny's cage to catch the seeds and poop (she loves to sit on top of it and poop to one side) so I could sweep instead of vacuum because Sunny is traumatized when I use any loud appliance, even in a different room.

I let this plastic air out in the garage for about two weeks. I took it in yesterday when I was cleaning her cage, and my bf was able to put it underneath for me. I had gone over it with some dawn and water, and it had a very slight odor, but only if I was up close to it. It seemed to be scent free once I cleaned it.

I put Sunny away later and didn't think anything of it. I took a nap. I woke up a few hours later and noticed the strong plastic smell, and I had a headache from it. I think maybe the warmth of the room brought it out or something? I immediately freaked out, woke my bf, and we pulled it out from under her cage and opened all the windows.

Sunny seems fine and didn't act strangely last night or today. I put the plastic in the bathroom to soak in some hot water/soap. I'm obviously not going to use it anywhere near Sunny and will probably throw it out in the garage as a paint drop cloth for art projects. But given the smell, I may just completely throw it out.

I'm still keeping an eye on her, but she does not appear to be impacted by it. Can the smell be toxic? Why would something that if exposed to NORMAL temperatures emits scary fumes be sold as something to use in a house?!? It was a piece of clear plastic that people use to cover tables! I surely wouldn't eat off of it!

I'm not sure how much it would have hurt her, but I imagine if it gives a human a headache, it can't be good for a bird.

The smell is from some chemical used in the manufacturing process. Many of the imported plastics stink. When plastic has a strong odor, I don't buy it...not even for non bird related use. Who know's what chemicals were used especially if it was imported.

Just my opinion.

Currently we do not have anything under Arika's cage except the carpet and a layer of the butcher paper we use to line the bottom pan. Hard plastic office chair floor guards are available in really large sizes. We are considering using one of them under her cage.

Depending on the size of your cage (ours is 4ft wide X 3 ft front to back) one of them may work for you. I think I remember seeing sizes up to 5 ft x 6 ft. wide. I believe the better ones are made from a "Lexan" polycarbonate material and from my experience Lexan does not smell unless it gets hot from cutting with a saw.
The cheaper ones will most likely be made from some sort of vinyl and giving them a quick sniff in the office supply store yielded a quick no go for us. The smell was horrible.

We've seen some styles on line as plain flat plastic, for un-carpeted floors and with various depths of nubs for short, medium, and deep carpet. Something to consider but the price for the larger ones may be up around $200 + and not sure what your budget is for the floor liner.

Here is an just example as to the arge size and for use on hard floors. Not confirmed for low odors though.
https://www.overstock.com/Office-Su...TIGUSFQSWM&searchidx=21&keywords=&refinement=

Perhaps someone else more experienced with Lexan polycarbonate can chime in and comment if there were any issues with fumes. I think some of the bidrd toys and swing parts may be made of Lexan or acrylic.

Thanks
Kelly, Karl, and Arika

You likely bought vinyl by the yard, and yes, it does have a strong chemical odor when new. A long time ago when I used to put tablecloths on the table (I have a tile top table now and will never go back!), I bought a big sheet of vinyl to go over them and protect them from spills and stains. I remember having to air it out for some time before the smell dissipated. Our shower curtain liner (also vinyl) stunk for some time.

I would definitely air it out outside and not bring it in until the smell has dissipated. Once the smell is gone, it should be ok.

If it smells then its had chemicals on. Dont take the risk is my advice as chemical poisoning can be slow to develop. Go get an untreated sheet instead x

I actually use heavy duty chair mats under most of my cages, and thick acrylic sheeting from the hardware store under the smaller ones, both of those work great, though you have to be careful with the sheeting because if it's too thin or the cage too heavy, it can crack. It's also useful to put behind the cage to protect the walls as well!

WakaWaka said:

Currently we do not have anything under Arika's cage except the carpet and a layer of the butcher paper we use to line the bottom pan. Hard plastic office chair floor guards are available in really large sizes. We are considering using one of them under her cage.

Depending on the size of your cage (ours is 4ft wide X 3 ft front to back) one of them may work for you. I think I remember seeing sizes up to 5 ft x 6 ft. wide. I believe the better ones are made from a "Lexan" polycarbonate material and from my experience Lexan does not smell unless it gets hot from cutting with a saw.
The cheaper ones will most likely be made from some sort of vinyl and giving them a quick sniff in the office supply store yielded a quick no go for us. The smell was horrible.

We've seen some styles on line as plain flat plastic, for un-carpeted floors and with various depths of nubs for short, medium, and deep carpet. Something to consider but the price for the larger ones may be up around $200 + and not sure what your budget is for the floor liner.

Here is an just example as to the arge size and for use on hard floors. Not confirmed for low odors though.
https://www.overstock.com/Office-Su...TIGUSFQSWM&searchidx=21&keywords=&refinement=

Perhaps someone else more experienced with Lexan polycarbonate can chime in and comment if there were any issues with fumes. I think some of the bidrd toys and swing parts may be made of Lexan or acrylic.

Thanks
Kelly, Karl, and Arika

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Thanks so much for this! This is kinda what I was looking into before I bought the vinyl, but I wanted something even more giant that I could throw away without care and buy a new one (the radius of splinters from wood from her cage is impressive and I'm tired of getting shards of wood stuck in my socks!). I may end up getting her one of those chair mats anyway though and hopefully it will stand up to lots of washing! I didn't know about the different types of plastic, so I will look for the lexan one. I'm in the process of trying to find a larger, better cage and also her vet visit in a few days, so it might be a bit before I am able to get one that will be permanent. I was just going to shove some cardboard or butcher paper under the cage until I am able to get something.

Well, you could get a small sheet of marmoleum. I used it for my aviary, and let me tell you, it was freaking expensive. However, it is the absolute safest material you can buy. No VOCs, no zinc, no formaldehyde, no PVC, no phthalates, no vinyl, nothing. It's safe enough to eat, although you probably shouldn't eat it since it would probably cause a blockage . For anyone who has birds, marmoleum is definitely worth the investment. I can't say enough good things about it. It's made from natural, wholesome ingredients and is SUPER eco-friendly.

A very interesting product, looking into the details right now.
Looks like a good find !! Thanks.

A link with info if anyone is interested:
https://www.greenbuildingsupply.com...armoleum-and-how-does-it-differ-from-linoleum

Kelly, Karl, and Arika

Teddscau said:

Well, you could get a small sheet of marmoleum. I used it for my aviary, and let me tell you, it was freaking expensive. However, it is the absolute safest material you can buy. No VOCs, no zinc, no formaldehyde, no PVC, no phthalates, no vinyl, nothing. It's safe enough to eat, although you probably shouldn't eat it since it would probably cause a blockage . For anyone who has birds, marmoleum is definitely worth the investment. I can't say enough good things about it. It's made from natural, wholesome ingredients and is SUPER eco-friendly.

Click to expand...

This is really interesting! I’m going to look into it as well.


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Another satisfied customer for office chair mats. Easy to clean, no oder, relatively inexpensive. Just be sure to get the ones that are smooth on the top surface, not textured.