Question from heather
Hi Debra,
We recently purchased a new home that has Closet Maid vinyl-coated shelving in the closets. The home is about a year old. Oddly enough, two of the closets have a strong odor whenever I open them (I am not sure why the others do not). I read that Closet Maid vinyl-coated shelving is actually made to be less toxic than the others and do not off-gas as much. However, with one of the offensive closets being in my son’s play room, I am concerned that he is breathing in phthalates and other toxins whenever he opens the closet to get his toys. Should these still be off-gassing after a year? (I still don’t know why I only smell this certain smell in only two closets.)
Debra’s Answer
Vinyl-coated shelving could still be releasing phthalates after a year. I would remove them.
Hello,
We two have ClosetMaid shelves; however ours is five years old and doesn’t smell at all. My question is, can phthlates and other toxic leach into our clothes that are stored on them? Thank you in advance for your help!:
Yes, if they are still outgassing.