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iPad

Q: Apple LED Cinema Display 27" chemical odor

There is much about this display that is wonderful. However.

A serious drawback of the new display is the strong "new electronics" odor, (a.k.a. "new electronics smell" for searches). I hope Apple will take seriously this problem of unpleasant and toxic indoor pollution and improve the PC board cleaning process used in manufacturing so as to leave a lot less residue (and then I want a replacement)!

The problem is that the odor flows into the unit through the grill in the middle of the back of the display and then internally downwards and out from the many tiny holes along the bottom of the unit (faster when the fan revs up). Hot air rises, and since the display is usually tilted back a bit, the odor flows up the front side of the display, in your face, as it were.

I found a workaround that directs that air toward the back instead of toward the front. Much better!

I attached 2" clear tape all the way across the bottom of the front of the display, then wrapped it around to the back, making a semicylindrical channel. Then I attached the tape at three places along the back of the display so as to leave plenty of room for air to escape up the back.

This is only a partial workaround, as the odor fills the room no matter how the exhaust air is redirected as it comes out of the display.

I posted a photo here http://Yost.com/apple27

MC007LL/A, Mac OS X (10.6.4)

Posted on Oct 10, 2010 6:20 PM

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Q: Apple LED Cinema Display 27" chemical odor

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  • by David Losada,

    David Losada David Losada Mar 28, 2011 1:40 AM in response to Allan Eckert
    Level 1 (18 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 28, 2011 1:40 AM in response to Allan Eckert
    I would be glad to do it. Unfortunately, I bought it from a reseller that didn't accept returns. So I'm tied to the fumes of this monitor.

    On the other hand, are Apple customers supposed to accept everything from Apple without "whining" if they are not up to the minimum quality standard? Is this the new Apple? I don't know you, but after spending €1100 in a product I feel totally entitled to complain if it emit strange fumes strong enough to fill a small room and to irritate my eyes and throat.

  • by gammapoint,

    gammapoint gammapoint May 4, 2011 8:51 AM in response to David Losada
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 4, 2011 8:51 AM in response to David Losada

    I agree.

     

    It's been almost 2 weeks (the magical number for no hassel exchange). The smell is still there. I have also used the OPs idea and cut/re-used the wrapping clear plastic to create a tunnel for the smell to go in the back instead of my face.

     

    I am glad that spring is here so that I can keep the window open to get fresh air.

     

    I can feel a small down draft from the wents in the bottom. Also, is that were the speakers are?

     

    Returning and exchanging doesn't solve the problem as the new one would also have this smell.

  • by starrboogie,

    starrboogie starrboogie Jun 28, 2011 5:31 PM in response to daveyostcom
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 28, 2011 5:31 PM in response to daveyostcom

    I have a new 21" and am having similar problems with the odor, which I've never experienced before, and I've used Macs since their inception. The computer is now 3 weeks old, in a well vented room, yet the smell persists.  After reading similar posts, it does not appear that exchanging this one for another will solve the problem.  I had one conversation with an Apple support person but he didn't appear to know about the problem.  What to do now?

  • by starrboogie,

    starrboogie starrboogie Jun 29, 2011 8:55 AM in response to Andrea_Maticad
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 29, 2011 8:55 AM in response to Andrea_Maticad

    Thanks to your sleuthing, I too realized that the majority of the odor derives from the keyboard and mouse.  Would you mind telling me what you exchanged them for?  I've got an Apple Care guy working on it, but, if you've already found a replacement, that would save time and irritation.  Also, do you have the wireless mouse and keyboard? That's what I've got, and I wonder if that has anything to do with it.

     

    Thanks again!

  • by Avalon128,

    Avalon128 Avalon128 May 7, 2014 2:58 PM in response to starrboogie
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 7, 2014 2:58 PM in response to starrboogie

    Harmful chemicals don't merely smell bad, especially for people that are more chemically sensitive.

  • by alexofjars,

    alexofjars alexofjars Sep 7, 2014 11:38 PM in response to Andrea_Maticad
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 7, 2014 11:38 PM in response to Andrea_Maticad

    I have got the same problem with iMac. But after 9 months it still persists. What I did was to bring it to Apple Care, they told me that the odor is the same as the adhesive used to fix screen to structure, but after that change the odor still there. Then I returned to Apple Care and they told me to put the unit in a room well ventilated and run the fans for some hours without stopping. Now I am in this stage.

  • by ccario83,

    ccario83 ccario83 Sep 15, 2015 4:33 PM in response to daveyostcom
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 15, 2015 4:33 PM in response to daveyostcom

    Thanks for the tape suggestion. This seems to help quite a bit!!

     

    I agree with other posts that this is not a trivial issue and that we shouldn't have to jury rig expensive brand new products for the sake of our health. As a cancer researcher, I am especially concerned about the types of fumes emanating from the monitor. Apple should really address this issue.

  • by mgauss,

    mgauss mgauss Feb 25, 2016 9:29 PM in response to daveyostcom
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 25, 2016 9:29 PM in response to daveyostcom

    iMac Retina 27" still smells of chemical/tape after two months on. What to do?

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