Strong new painted wooden toy smell. WWYD?

[pjlioness]

My in-laws got ds1 a Ryan's Room firehouse & truck set for his b-day on Tuesday. MIL dropped it off outside after phoning us.

I wanted to know what it was, so I opened up the present bag. It has a very strong smell, which I am assuming is from the paint used on the wooden pieces. I am wary of strong smells like that...my lungs are somewhat chemically sensitive, and I don't like the idea of my kids inhaling these, well, fumes. Ideally, I would really love to return it (and get a better brand online) because of the smell, but we are thinking of taking everything out of the box and airing it out in the garage until Tuesday (and maybe giving it a quick wash).

I would really like to know what's in paints like these that makes them smell so bad, yet be supposedly safe, how safe they really are, and if airing it all out/washing it will really make it better.

I also feel angry when my in-laws refuse to respect my/our concerns about how and where toys are made, not to mention who they are made by. Yes this toy is wood, so they think it's fine, but it smells (my lungs are NOT happy) and was made in China.

[CountrylivinmomtoB]

Maybe try calling the company and complaining about the smell first?

Then if you want to keep it maybe try whiping it off, but then keep all packaging and still if it stinks, just return it...or just return it to begin with. Don't feel guilty.

Sorry I can't be of much help... but I wouldn't think it should smell like that, atleast all the wood toys we've had never Stunk.

[pjlioness]

Dh opened the box late this afternoon, and he says it seems like it's the packaging that really smells. We're still airing it out, though.

[babycarrier]

I've had this happen to me with a train table from Target. Overwhelming fumes. We set it up and stuck it outside for a few days. The fumes did disappear. Make sure you leave any drawers or parts opent that might shut and retain the fumes.

Ideally, I guess I should have returned it and it probably is offgassing and I'm no longer aware of it. We don't keep the table in the bedroom due to this reason.

I've found Lincoln Logs do this, also. Disgusting.

[EviesMom]

I've had this happen with toys I've gotten for my store. They're made in the U.S. and with safe paints, but apparently if the toy isn't dry before they put it into plastic or air-tight packaging, it makes the toy and the package smell. You can air out the toy so it dries fully, and wash the packaging thoroughly if it's supposed to be a reusable container. Otherwise, the airtight container keeps that horrible smell even when the toys are fine. That worked for me. I also don't re-order products I've had more than one problem with, so contact the seller as well as the manufacturer.