Ex military kit - storage - Chemicals?

[ianmbetts]

I know the topic of army surplus smell has received a lot of attention already. Most opinion focuses on "musty" or "canvas" odours.
I have a Belgian m98 rucksack that absolutely stinks with a strong chemical odour, I am assuming an anti mold agent.
It kind of creeps up on you, but yesterday I spent a couple of hours experimenting with different load outs, and it really started to bug me.
This morning I woke up with a fierce headache and I am good for nothing.
The way I feel today I would not want the pack inside a tent with me.
Apart from pure speculation does anyone have any actual knowledge of what the quartermaster use in these storage facilities ?

 

[Laurence Milton]

Can it not be soaked/washed/rinsed?

 

[Mesquite]

Can it not be soaked/washed/rinsed?

And once you've done this leave it outside to air out.

I had some wool blankets that reeked to high heaven so I washed them and then left them outside in rain and sunshine for a couple weeks until the odour had gone

 

[ianmbetts]

That's my next step.
I am more concerned as to what the hell is this noxious stuff?