I just got some white fabric that I ordered. I took it out of the box and the chemical smell was overwhelming. I immediately threw it in the wash. There was no way I could have worked with that fabric. My eyes were watering by the time I got it in the wash.
I have had allergy problems most of my life. Sometimes are much worse than others. There have been times when I could not walk into a fabric store because of the dyes and chemicals. I would have a headache and feel sick to my stomach within 10 minutes. The last 6 years or so have not been bad but that fabric HAD to be washed.