"Off-Gassing from pre-painted plastics" Topic

I have a lot of these plastic D&D and Pathfinder figures that I store in plastic tubs. What I've noticed is that there is a smell when the tubs are opened. Does anyone know the source? Are these plastic known to off-gas fumes of sone sort? I wonder if is the paint, or some sort of sealant…that is the sort of smell. Is it something that would go away if they were exposed to air? (Like fresh newsprint stinks but old newspaper have no scent.)

Could it be from the plastic tubs?

They're PVC. They're going to smell like vinyl.

It could be the different plastics touching each other. Also the place where you store them will increase any outgassing if the temp is too high. Old soft tank tracks use to melt into the hard plastic of the road wheels. Lots of unknown factors with regards to the types of plastic and paint used for the pre paint figures.

Try drilling some holes for air vents?

Buy some cheap [Dollar Store] humidity absorption balls/sponges. Heat, lack of air circulation, mixing plastics and previous factors will all contribute to petro 'smells' in plastic storages. I have heard Moth Balls also helps for smell purposes.