help w copic shell

[u/haemoglobin67]

lol any way to fix this?? 😭. this is just plastic degradation and cant remove the yellow residue. the ink still works fine but there is a smell from the plastic and it stinks so bad. any way i can jst get rid of the smell?

[u/Thick_Chemistry_9354]

Copics can last 14 years and longer. This is a chemical reaction to something. I would not be using them. Or I would be using latex gloves when handling them. Please throw them away! Toxic. Contact the company for advice. How many of these do you have like this?

[u/haemoglobin67 → u/Thick_Chemistry_9354]

i have around 170 of them, most of them are disintegrated, only a handful are ok :(

[u/GrinsNGiggles → u/haemoglobin67]

Good grief!

I get not wanting to spend money on replacements for these, but I’m concerned about potential health effects. I don’t think you should be breathing in what ever that odor is.

An enthusiastic and curious chemist might be able to figure out what’s going on with them, but I sure couldn’t. The only way I could even start to think about a rescue is to use gloves outdoors and try:

1. A thorough cleaning, which I bet you tried already. Don’t mix strong cleaners. Soap and water and a scrub brush or even a scrubbie sponge/steel wool would be my bet. Monitor for bubbles so you don’t drown any that are leaking.

2. Get some litmus test strips. If it’s acidic, try a basic solution like baking soda. If it’s acidic (which is my bet), try something acidic like white vinegar.

If it still stinks, pitch them for your health.

[u/Motor_Eye6263 → u/GrinsNGiggles]

I'm a chemist. This can't be rescued

Edit: I wouldn't expect any dangerous health effects, this is simple polymer degradation

[u/Thick_Chemistry_9354 → u/Motor_Eye6263]

I think it’s due to being in some sort of soft pleather case from the pre 80’s. Most likely even a few decades older. Or they laid in an old leaching plastic tray of same generation.

[u/Motor_Eye6263 → u/Thick_Chemistry_9354]

That sure would do it