hi there, I am The Dolly Doctor from Kent and just to add a bit on to HPD, I have handled many dolls with this problem and find that any hard plastic doll can and has been affected by it even an american doll, all the info I have read on this subjest seem to think that due to toys and dolls been made in a rush after the war the chemicals weren't tested thoroughly and after time and if the right atmosphere is met eg:- kept in cardboard boxes, in the attic that heats up and cools down, or wrapped in newspaper then poor dolly cops it, I was caught out a few years ago I bought a georgous ped walker with 4 sets of cloths from a local antiques shop put her in the work shop to give her a once over before adding her to my collection, 2 days later when I got round to her she stank of vinigar, I was so upset, when I looked at her again it was clear she had been cleaned, I just feel in love with her and didn't check, I took her back in floods of tears, still haven't found one as pretty as she was, never mind maybe one day!!!!

 just as an updae, I have now handled a black tudor rose with this awful disease thats 3 different black dolls now, I could cry every time I open a parcel and smell the vinigar, then to break it to the owner, I have had owners in tears cos of this, but at least these ones are out of harms way now,

warm regards to all you doll lovers out there

Tina The Dolly Doctor ( tina@thedollinfirmary.com)