I've noticed that a lot of Chinese-sourced goods have a very pungent odor, and I think it's arsenic. Particularly anything with chromed parts - I think arsenic is used in the process, and I suspect they are cutting corners by not cleaning the parts thoroughly before they ship. I really became aware of this when I bought a new shower head recently, and every time I turned on the water, there was this almost burnt tomcat pee smell. Then, I noticed when I went to Costco and walked down the aisles of new goods still on their shipping palettes that the same smell was pretty overwhelming. After several months, the showerhead no longer smells, and there are no ants in my bathroom, so I guess the arsenic actually provided a service. Children and small animals might have a different reaction, though.
Arsenic is used in chrome plating so I tend to agree with your suspicions. Why COST Co sells stinky bad for business merchandise is beyond me, I sure as hell wouldn't buy it.
Burnt bacon isn't weird, BLAME CANADA!
"The universe is under no obligation to make sense to you."
Neil deGrasse Tyson
73 de Warren KB2VXA
Station powered by atomic energy, operator powered by natural gas.
Well, we don't manufacture much in this country anymore so I guess china it is.
I keep my 2 feet on the ground, and my head in the twilight zone.