I managed to get my childhood Lego collection back. I've found that it's all been bagged inside of a bunch of separate ziploc bags. It all must have been bagged up at least 10 years ago, probably more like 15 years ago. So these things have been hanging around in these ziploc bags for a while. (If they don't have that brand in Europe etc, they're plastic resealable bags often used for left-over food you put in the refrigerator. These bags keep things inside them air-tight.)

My question is: when I go to open these bags of old Lego, will the bags be releasing fumes? In other words, does your typical ABS material that Lego is made of give off fumes over time, especially in an enclosed space?

I ask because I found this Lego along with other childhood toys, and some of the toys really let off some nauseous gasses when I opened their containers (and that was just big plastic bins). One bin in particular I had to take outside and let sit for some time, and even then it was still pretty bad on the nose and stomach. I'm hoping Lego is made of higher quality stuff that isn't subject to this fume issue.

Thanks!

Are you sure something didn't crawl into the bin and die? I've never heard of old plastic releasing fumes.

It might be the bags, or even just the air in the bags.

Sorry, I must have been unclear. I'm asking if these sealed bags of Lego will let off fumes when I open them. I had some other completely different types of toys (that are not Lego) give off fumes upon being opened, and I want to make sure the same won't happen when I open the Lego.

And yes, those fumey non-Lego toys were definitely the toys themselves giving off the fumes, and not just stale air. It was some hardcore fumes, not just a slightly unpleasant odor.

...they're plastic resealable bags often used for left-over food you put in the refrigerator. These bags keep things inside them air-tight.)

You may have answered your own question. While I'm sure you cleaned these, bacteria doesn't need a whole lot of food to start stinking.

Outside of that you may have and issue with the plastic bags degassing if they were subjected to relatively high temperatures (think hot attic).

Were the LEGO or other toys sanitized before sealing? If not they could have skin cells or oil left from handling them or any number of other contaminets that could have been on the toys that could be causing the smell.

Andy D

Did all of the other toys give off fumes, or just certain ones? If it was only some of the toys, I wouldn't be too worried about the Lego. If it was all of them, I think there was either a problem with the bags or the bins.

You may have answered your own question. While I'm sure you cleaned these, bacteria doesn't need a whole lot of food to start stinking.

I think you misunderstand. While ziplock bags are usually used for food, these ones weren't. There was only ever toys in them. He just mentioned the food to explain what ziploc bags are. I think...

just open them in my opinion

you can do nothing（only take lego outside and let sit for some time or purchase them again）if they really are releasing fumes and you want to play

Edited July 16, 201212 yr by seawideyp

Sorry, I must have been unclear. I'm asking if these sealed bags of Lego will let off fumes when I open them. I had some other completely different types of toys (that are not Lego) give off fumes upon being opened, and I want to make sure the same won't happen when I open the Lego.

And yes, those fumey non-Lego toys were definitely the toys themselves giving off the fumes, and not just stale air. It was some hardcore fumes, not just a slightly unpleasant odor.

Yeah, lower quality plastics definitely give off fumes. I'm not sure if Lego would, considering the quality. The longest I've had Lego in storage is 4-5 years, and there was no smell whatsoever.

No no, the bags weren't previously holding food. I was just explaining what a ziploc bag is typically used for.

Were the LEGO or other toys sanitized before sealing? If not they could have skin cells or oil left from handling them or any number of other contaminets that could have been on the toys that could be causing the smell.

Andy D

They may or may not have been sanitized. In the case of the Lego, they probably were not. I fully intend to wash them before putting them to use or storing them away with the rest of my collection. That's a good point about the oil and such.

Did all of the other toys give off fumes, or just certain ones? If it was only some of the toys, I wouldn't be too worried about the Lego. If it was all of them, I think there was either a problem with the bags or the bins.

I'm all but certain it's the type of plastic that causes these smells. That's why I call it a fume and not just an unpleasant stale odor or something. I can't recall what the really bad ones were called, they weren't any sort of well known brand, just some adventuring city people action figures from the 1970s. (I left those ones for the estate sale, lol.) Some other ones like Ghostbusters gave off something similar, but to a much more reasonable degree. I think what happens in general is that the plastic and paint on these things breaks down over time, because some of these things have gone really soft. Like if you run your fingernail over them, it will leave a mark. Really makes me glad that Lego stands up so well to the test of time.

Anyway, it sounds like Lego doesn't have this problem. My whole point was just to check before I started cracking open bags inside the house. I think what I'll do is quickly sort through stuff to remove cloth and stickered stuff, and then do some kind of bulk cleaning. Maybe I'll go with the laundry bag + gentle cycle cold water washing machine method. Thanks guys.

Most plastics off-gas for their entire existence. That is most likely what you're smelling. It can be very toxic and dangerous to your health. High quality ABS plastic off-gasses very little, if at all. Your Lego should be okay but the bag it's stored in could be a problem. I would take it outside to open it.

I opened some that had been stored for around 25 years. It did not give off fumes but it had gathered a very grimy patina that was certainly not there when it was put away. It was hard to get rid of as well and required lots of scrubbing.

When LEGO was made of Cellulose Acetate (1950s and early 1960s), the LEGO bricks gave off a plastic like (not unpleasant) aroma. Early 810/725 Town Plan sets and 717 (USA/Canada) Junior Constructor Sets were prime examples of this... open the box and you could smell the Cellulose Acetate bricks.

Please don't someone now tell me that Cellulose Acetate gas causes cancer.....

My understanding is that chemical softener/plasticizer evaporates over time, which is why older Lego bricks may become a little brittle. Maybe that's it?

My understanding is that chemical softener/plasticizer evaporates over time, which is why older Lego bricks may become a little brittle. Maybe that's it?

Well that would certainly explain why.... when I sent a Dutch collector some 1960s era (Samsonite LEGO logo on the studs) small blue plates made of ABS plastic in a bubble mailer. They all arrived broken!

Nope it shouldn't smell.

Edited July 17, 201212 yr by Tormenter370