Residents: East Dundee factory is producing 'sickening' baby powder smell

East Dundee residents are frustrated by what they describe as an off-putting baby powder smell that has been emanating from a film and plastic bag factory.

The former Haeger Potteries site at 7 Maiden Lane was purchased last year by Golden Plastics USA, which relocated from a smaller space in Carpentersville. The company, formerly Golden Bag Co., was expected to invest more than $1 million into refurbishing the property.

Owner Gene Staples assured village officials before the sale closed that the business's operations would not disrupt neighbors. But over the past six months, resident Sheila Mukite said, she and her husband have become all too familiar with a “sickening” fragrance that overpowers parts of the neighborhood when the factory's machines are running.

“We smell it, we feel it, we breathe it,” she told trustees Monday. “What is it? We want it to go away.”

Village Administrator Jennifer Johnsen said East Dundee officials have been working with Staples to address the company's various code violations, including the disagreeable odor, unkempt weeds and problems with a private well on the property.

“We did have a meeting with him, and he indicated he was working toward compliance,” she said.

Golden Plastics was fined roughly $3,600 for those violations during an adjudication hearing last week, Johnsen said, noting that company representatives were not in attendance. The hearing was continued until Oct. 25, at which point further consequences could be considered, she said.

Staples could not be reached for comment Monday.

Though appreciative of the village's handling of the situation, resident Toby Tobler said his biggest concern is whether the smell is caused by harmful chemicals. He was among a handful of residents who asked East Dundee officials to conduct an air quality test to ensure the odor is not hazardous.

Nancy Stein, who has lived across the street from the property for 33 years, said she can't even open her windows without the smell permeating her house when the wind is blowing in a certain direction.

“It'll catch you in the back of your throat. I don't like it. My neighbors have said they don't like it,” she said. “On behalf of the residents and the children in the neighborhood, I would hope that something would be done.”

Trustee Jeff Lynam said the smell was his biggest concern when Golden Plastics first proposed coming to the village, but he was told it wouldn't be an issue. He suggested the company be given a few months to fix the problem or risk losing their business license.

Village President Lael Miller said officials would continue working with the company and discussing possible resolutions.

“I can promise you that you have our full attention on this,” he told residents. “We will resolve this issue for you.”