Why do new electronics smell strange when opening boxes?

The article will explain why there is a characteristic strange smell on electronic devices, cars or furniture and is it toxic to our health?

It must be for many people, strange smells after they peeled an electronic product like a phone, the laptop was too familiar. Even many people feel excited with that strange fragrance. But why does it smell strange and why does it disappear over time? You will get the answer in this article from the Howtogeek technology page.

Many people also enjoy the strange fragrance when peeling a box of electronic products.

The strange smell is like the smell of a new car

Smelling a new car is no stranger to many people. From the components details, the interior inside gives off a rather strange zone. It is also important to confirm whether a car is new or not. But it turns out, it's actually the smell of chemicals that can be harmful to your health if inhaled too much.

Notice, in a new car that contains all kinds of adhesives, flame retardants and plasticizers. These chemicals are in your car for good reasons but they also contain a variety of volatile solid or liquid organic compounds (VOCs) .

Smelling a new car is no stranger to many people.

VOC is a naturally volatile compound at room temperature or below room temperature. For example, formaldehyd, a chemical that produces paint odors can evaporate at room temperature. At first glance this may seem quite scary but most VOCs are not as toxic as you think. In fact, most natural smells are just VOCs.

Like cars, most electronic devices also have glue, flame retardants, protective coatings and plasticizers. These layers of chemicals are full of VOCs. They evaporate at room temperature and create a characteristic odor of new electronic devices.

VOCs will disappear after a process of exposure to the air

Most VOCs in electronic devices evaporate into the air you are breathing. That's why when you just opened the box, you could smell the smell of the intact machine at the factory.

This process is often called off-gassing or air discharge . This is the reason why old electronics or used cars no longer have this strange smell, even under room temperature. It is known that the process of exhaust is happening right from the time the product is manufactured in the factory.

But this exhaust rate is significantly limited when the machine is boxed and sealed. In other words, the rate of exhaust is the key to determining whether the smell of an electronic device can be kept long.

Most VOCs in electronic devices evaporate into the air you are breathing.

This explanation may sound quite confusing, but the reality is very simple. When you buy a new product, even though it may have been produced for a long time and stored before you reach it, we can still smell it. The reason is understandable because there is no gap in the inside of the box for ventilation. Box sealed makes VOCs unable to evaporate but can only stick to electronic devices.

Certainly, many people hate the smell of VOC, especially when it clings to leather products or furniture. People who hate VOCs often have to leave new products outside or leave windows open in cars so that strange odors can fly away. Remember, the more airy, the faster the process will be. So if you want your phone or laptop to quickly smell "strange", never leave it in a room that is too tight, without ventilation.

High exposure to VOC is also not good for your health

VOC is a potential "poison" form and is rarely noticed . That's because many government regulations require manufacturers to limit certain VOCs on each product. But it is hard for anyone to comply with the regulations.

The scientific fact is that sometimes toxic substances can be considered "safe" if used in a sufficient amount and vice versa. For example, formaldehyde, this chemical is indispensable to the body's metabolic activity. But it will become poison if we eat or breathe in too much for a long time.

Long-term exposure to VOC can cause many health problems.

In other words, long-term exposure to VOC can cause many problems with your health. For example, irritation of the throat, eyes, headaches and coma. Much more dangerous than research indicates, long-term inhalation of chemicals in cars, electronic products and furniture can lead to cancer risks.

Usually a person is more likely to encounter this situation if he has to live in a new building that has just been repaired and built without a good ventilation system. This makes them regularly inhale VOCs for a long time.

However, the above health symptoms do not last forever. It is possible to eliminate it by upgrading the ventilation system, creating a clean airflow into the home or using air purifiers.

Until you can't smell the strange smell on the device, it is also the process of exhausting. If you are worried about the strange smell on the electronic device at the time of opening the box, which can affect health, rest assured, VOC's impact only occurs if you come into contact with it for a long time.

If you want more peace of mind, try peeling the box of electronic products in the outdoor space and always open the door openly while opening the box.