MELTED PLASTIC FUMES

[Talkabtit101]

Was packing DH lunch today, whilst doing meal prep for myself, turned my electric stove on ( largest hob ) grabbed my sweet potatoes, ( they're in a plastic container I keep on the side otherwise I forget I buy them )

stupidly put it down on the hob, turned around to go in the fridge and realised I'd put it on the hob, pulled it off, hob started smoking, turned hob off , opened window and wet a sponge to try and get the plastic off whilst it was still hot, the oven was smoking for around 5 mins ( not enough to set fire alarms off )

I've threw the container away, but am now petrified I've allowed toxic fumes into the house. I googled at first how to get melted plastic off oven, but instead found an array of forums saying I've left off toxic fumes, I have a 4 year old DD who was in the next room at the time.

I also may have slight anxiety, so you can imagine.

Anyway, aibu to think I've let off toxic fumes in my house for the matter of a few minutes?

Also I keep washing my hands scared there's some on my hands, yes plastic hardens which I would clearly feel, this is against the point. I AM anxious.

Anyway, cheers for the input, am I being a daft bitch?

Open some windows for a bit. Everything is fine.

I opened the kitchen window right away as that's close to the oven - around 2ft.

There is no lingering smell either at the minute

Don't know if it makes a different but it was just melted plastic, not burnt. There's no black on the bottom of the plastic container 🙃

Yes, you're being very daft.

Unless you were huffing a boiling pot of this stuff in a small unventilated room, you're not going to suffer any ill effects.

My kitchen is quite small actually, I didn't have any windows open until it happened

OK reason to panic #2 just seen DH used the sponge I'd used to wipe the plastic up ( once again I'd put on the side nearest to the bin, meaning to throw it out but got side tracked by worrying about plastic fumes.

He was using it to clean a frying pan ready to cook the next part of his packed lunch.

AIBU to think he should stop cooking and re wash the pan with a clean no melted plastic sponge

He thinks I'm being stupid but I've just used that to clean up melted plastic for fuck sake

I mean half of me feels I inhale way more toxic chemicals everyday living in the centre of a city

Your anxiety is running out of control. Scrape off any residue, ventilate and bin any remains.

Presumably any 'melted plastic' that has made its way on the sponge has since cooled and is no longer melted? So worst it'll do is scratch his frying pan.

I was just going to point this out! You'll be fine OP, just open a window.

@DamnSpots

Apparently it was a couple minutes after I'd exited the kitchen from doing so, but I assume plastic would harden pretty quickly, especially since the temperature here is pretty cold.

Hence why I added to the Original Post, I had anxiety.

I'm sure a normal person wouldn't worry about this, I already know my anxiety is the route of the worry.

@Geebray

I've left the window open then came down the hall to the lounge, where I've also opened the window just in case ---- I will be staying safe here one the sofa for the foreseeable future.

This has taught me.... meal prep is not the way forward and I will leave that to the gym influencers.

I am a scientist and I work in chemical H&S.

For any chemical issues like this happening in the home the key is VENTILATION and get out of the area whist it ventilates.

You opened the window OP so you did the best thing you can do.

The chemical nasties will have spread out in the room/house OP so the amounts you will have been exposed to is likely quite small. Don't fret.

You're not all all being a daft bitch, you are being cautious, as someone should be with chemicals.

btw when i say 'spread out in the house' don't interpret that as a bad thing. I meant spread out in the air which means the dose you'd be exposed to would be diluted essentially.

@Logiok

Thank you!

To be honest more worried about my 4 year old DD, at my age I'm sure I've been exposed to worse, but it was something I'd not thought about until I had kids.

Is there any mix contamination to be worried about? I.E on plates that we're drying in the kitchen where fumes might of reached?

@Logiok Have to be honest though I didn't exit the kitchen right away.

Honestly, we’ve all done it! Don’t even sweat this, OP. Nothing terrible has happened in the least. We all worry about this stuff. I still fret about the car that burned outside my flat for 24 hours. I was pregnant and terrified. That baby is 22 years old now. It’s safe to say we’re ok! 😁

What was upsetting for me is that my neighbour used to routinely burn waste in his garden and it was all plastic and so very hazardous. The air was acrid and stifling. This was routine and he’d pretend he wasn’t the one burning stuff. Under mounting pressure from surrounding neighbours, he finally stopped.
This is not that, OP. You’ll be just fine. 💐

Is there any mix contamination to be worried about? I.E on plates that we're drying in the kitchen where fumes might of reached?

Not at all. Give them a rinse, for your own peace of mind. But it’s not at all necessary. It’s just the anxiety talking. It’s got a loud voice. Motherhood. Nobody tells you how much you’ll worry about everything. 💐

Stop and go to somewhere to be still.

There was a small release of plastic fumes in your house.
But the amount was very small and it has stopped. The risk has passed.

Just focus on accepting the fact you're afraid and worried, rather than trying to rationalise constantly.

Can you take a walk to a local green space, take DD to a nice playground? I find breathing and being in a green space cleanses the worry.

Basically you are alive and well 😅 so you will be ok as will your son.

Wouldn't worry about plates drying in the area.

It is not ideal but we are exposed to lots of things that are far from ideal in the modern world (not to stress you OP). I say that to try to comfort as we are exposed to pollution day in day out, say we talk a walk along a busy road for example, and generally we don't worry about that, so treat it the same as that.

Anxiety happens OP totally get it

What a selfish wanker your neighbour was Serenity!

No.

You could probably benefit from putting on your coat and going for a walk.

Are you under the care of a doctor for your anxiety?

There is literally nothing you need to worry about here. However many times you ask about contamination, fumes, toxins etc, the answer will still be 'Nah, it's fine'.

Focus on managing your anxiety rather than fixating on a non-issue.