Melted Plastic Fumes

[Libby]

This morning we woke up to an amazingly horrible smell. The bottom spinning spray arm in our dishwasher got stuck against the heating coil and partially melted during the night. (I start the dishwasher before I go to bed.) Fortunately we live in Florida and I'm able to open up all the windows. I have the door to the room with the snakes in it closed and the window in it open, but should I be concerned about the snakes being vulnerable to the fumes?

Oh, did I mention we got a new little noodle? I was letting him settle in before terrorizing him with the camera, but the little bugger turned blue, so a proper introduction to our teacup boa will have to wait.

[OhhWatALoser]

I wouldn't worry, it's not good to breath in at all, but a door closed and window open should get the fresh air in there and keep the plastic out. You should do what you can to keep yourself from breathing it also, all sorts of nasty stuff out gases from plastic.

[Libby]

I wouldn't worry, it's not good to breath in at all, but a door closed and window open should get the fresh air in there and keep the plastic out. You should do what you can to keep yourself from breathing it also, all sorts of nasty stuff out gases from plastic.

Thanks. You're right, those are some powerful fumes and it's pretty pungent around here. I already shoved my kid out the door to my mom and I'm hanging out with the snakes.

[Pythonfriend]

its nasty and toxic, there are nasty chemicals in plastics and when the plastic melts, burns, or simply corrodes away, they are liberated. and lots of that stuff is gaseous or can turn gaseous when heated. a strong nasty chemical smell is no good sign.


but then, what can you do, except to exchange the air in the room and let it air out, which you already did? either the snakes show symptoms or they will just be fine. you can worry, but it seems quite pointless, for now its out of your control, i would just hope for the best, monitor the situation, watch out for symptoms, and see what happens.