Is this stuff in my suitcase toxic?

August 4, 2013 10:59 AM

A sheet of plastic on the inside of an old suitcase I'm using has crumbled into this brittle mess, which I've been scooping out of with my hands. It smells like warm plastic or crayons, but really strong Any idea what has happened, and should I have been wearing gloves?
posted by Artw to Science & Nature (3 answers total)

Datapoint: this happened to my small case a couple years back and I'm still alive, so... hurrah?
posted by ominous_paws at 11:13 AM on August 4, 2013 [2 favorites]

Best answer: It's probably PVC that the plasticizers have leached out of. I wouldn't eat it, but you'll live. The plasticizers are the nasty bit.
posted by scruss at 12:08 PM on August 4, 2013

This also happened to me. I'm also still alive.
posted by woodvine at 12:28 PM on August 4, 2013