Identifying Mystery Odors to Confirm their Source and Composition

Recently, there were media reports about neighbors of a plastics manufacturer in New York taking legal measures after dealing with strong odors they claim come from the manufacturing plant. A class-action lawsuit has reportedly been filed asking that the company be forced to reduce or eliminate offensive odors emitted from the plant and seeking compensation for the impact the odors have had on people’s property values and the nuisance plaintiffs claim they have had to put up with for so long. News reports indicate that over the past several years, hundreds of complaints had been filed with the town.

Unfortunately, odors that cause outdoor and/or indoor air quality (IAQ) complaints happen all too frequently. While neighbors of the manufacturing plant in this circumstance readily knew the origination of the odor, many other times the source of an odor can be a real mystery. Mystery odors in an outdoor or indoor environment can cause everything from a nuisance to health concerns for building occupants. These same odors can lower property values and in commercial and institutional settings, may result in reduced productivity, increased absenteeism and higher turnover rates.

“Exposure to some odors can cause respiratory irritation, allergies and even trigger an asthma attack in a sensitive individual with the chronic lung disease,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “At high concentrations, some compounds can cause even more serious health concerns, and in rare circumstances, could create an explosion hazard indoors.”

If the source of an indoor odor is not readily apparent, air testing will often provide the information needed to identify the root cause of the odor. Air testing can also identify the concentration of various gases and chemicals found so that the information can be used to determine if there are health concerns.  Once the odor has been identified, it is often possible to develop a strategy to eliminate or mitigate the odor through mechanical means, filtration or changes in the contents and daily practices within a home or building.

EMSL recently sponsored an educational video about mystery and nuisance odors that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/4EorbGCpx3A.

To learn more about EMSL’s outdoor or indoor air quality testing services and air monitoring instruments, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email  info@EMSL.com .

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.

EMSL Analytical, Inc. is one of the leading testing laboratories with 43 locations throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP 797, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOC’s, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA LAP, LLC. (AIHA EMLAP, AIHA IHLAP, AIHA ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations.  In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail