Are our garbage bags slowly killing us?

Question

I recently read an article discussing the compounds emitted by vinyl shower curtains. The article stated that they put out carcinogens, some of which remain present in the room's air for close to a month. My office recently started using new garbage bags that have a smell similar to that of those shower curtains. It is most noticable when you open the bag to line the trash receptacle, and upon entering any room containing said bags. We've been adjusting to it (and don't notice it at all) after being in the room for 10min or so, but if we leave and come back it is very noticable again. Am I dying a slow, painful, cubicle-related death, or is it nothing to worry about?

Answer 1

Something will kill us all. Garbage bags smell seems to be a good way to go.

Answer 2

You won't have to worry about plastic bags for much longer,

or any plastic for that matter, as all plastics

are made from petrochemicals.  

  Petro= crude oil.

Answer 3

Only if you put it over your head. Seriously, if you are going to be scared of that, you don't even want to start to think about the chemicals in the industrial carpet you're walking on. Or the exhaust you breathe in traffic. The danger is in the initial "plume" of noxious gas that comes out when you open it. Hold your breath, open it and then run(with your arms flailing and imploring others to do the same). Heh, it'll seem so eccentric that they'll stop having you do it.

Answer 4

many trash liners are 'scented' are yours?

And if it is that bad, I can not imagine that your company would not switch to back to what you were using or to a different brand if indeed it is causing that much grief.   For the most part it's the women or men who ware either perfume or Cologne that smells like 'Raid' bug killer that hits us the worst..

Answer 5

If the trash liners are causing headaches for you and your coworkers, you have an immediate health risk that should be brought to the attention of the management.  People with headaches, nausea or other distractions are less productive.  I'm sure they will switch to another trash bag if for no other reason than to increase productivity.  

Plastic trash bags and many other common plastic products can contain toxic organochlorines.  If the smells off-gassed from the trash bags is building up that much, the ventilation in the room is insufficient and more should be done to ensure a proper air exchange.

Answer 6

Most of that is worthless. Just the other day it was baby bottles that think it cause cancer in baby's. I have had 3 children and all are raised with the plastic bottles and all are health One 50 ,the other 44 and the last 40. Only worry about the things u have under your control. And some scientist that thinks it could be trouble , with no proof that is crazy.