Resolving Mystery Odor Complaints in the Built Environment

Mystery odors in the built environment are often the cause of indoor environmental quality (IEQ) dissatisfaction. These odors could be everything from a nuisance to something that may signal potential short- or long-term health concerns for building occupants. Odors could even lower property values, and in commercial and institutional settings, may result in decreased productivity, increased absenteeism, and higher employee turnover rates.

There are countless potential causes of indoor odors. They could be coming from cigarette smoke or vaping, cooking, cleaning chemicals, and pets. They can also be the result of inadequate ventilation, unsanitary conditions, water damage, and vapor intrusion. Additional sources of mystery odors may be coming from mold, bacteria, sewer gas, or off-gassing from building materials and household products. Commercial or industrial properties may also suffer from off-gassing from manufacturing processes.

“What’s that smell, and is it dangerous? These are questions CSC receives every day,” said Derrick A. Denis, Industrial Hygienist and Senior Vice President for Clark Seif Clark, Inc. “Odor is not always a good indicator of a safe or unsafe environment. An odorless space can kill you quickly, with a lack of oxygen or an abundance of carbon monoxide for example. Unpleasant odors may merely be a nuisance, or malodors could absolutely be a telltale sign of your exposure to pollutants that are toxic, flammable, carcinogenic, etc. How can you tell the difference? Requesting an indoor air quality or IAQ assessment by a qualified professional is often the next step. A qualified professional knows what to look for, how to collect measurements and samples, and how interpret the results. When the source, or sources, of malodor are identified, a strategy to reduce or eliminate these odors can be developed.”

Identifying and resolving indoor environmental quality issues caused by mystery odors and other challenges is a specialty of the building science, industrial hygiene, and IEQ experts at Clark Seif Clark. They offer comprehensive assessments, inspections, testing, and monitoring services. If issues are found, their professionals can recommend ways to mitigate or eliminate the concern. CSC also recently sponsored an educational video about mystery odors in the built environment that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/229MeNyYoNE

To learn more about this or other indoor air quality, building science, industrial hygiene, environmental, health, and safety testing services, please visit www.csceng.com, email csc@csceng.com, or call (800) 807-1118.

About Clark Seif Clark
CSC was established in 1989 to help clients in both public and private sectors address indoor air quality, occupational, and environmental, health, and safety (EH&S) issues. CSC is a leading provider of these services with multiple offices along the western seaboard and southwest. The company believes in science-based protocols and has a strong background in engineering, making them the preferred environmental consultants to industrial clients, healthcare facilities, architects, schools, builders, contractors, developers, and real estate professionals.

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

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