Resolving Mystery Odors in the Built Environment throughout Puerto Rico

When there is an unpleasant mystery odor in a home, school, office or other type of building, it could cause everything from a nuisance to something that signals potential short- or long-term health concerns for building occupants. These types of odors could even lower property values. In commercial and institutional settings, odors may result in decreased productivity, increased absenteeism and higher employee turnover rates.

Mystery odors could be coming from mold, bacteria, sewer gas, or off-gassing from building materials, furnishings and household products. These odors could also be coming from cigarette smoke or vaping; cooking; cleaning chemicals; and pets. They could even be the result of inadequate ventilation, unsanitary conditions, water damage and vapor intrusion. In commercial and industrial properties, manufacturing processes may be causing off-gassing.

Odors could even be infiltrating a structure from an outside source, through air intakes, windows and doors. They could include vehicle exhaust or air pollution from a nearby factory, landfill or other source.

“Sometimes the source of an odor is readily apparent, but other times it may be a true mystery as there can be multiple sources in a typical building,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “In those cases, an indoor air quality assessment by a qualified professional that knows what to look for and how to take air samples is often required.”

Once the source of an odor is identified, it is then possible to develop a strategy to eliminate it through mechanical means, filtration, or changes in the content and daily practices within the building. The building science and indoor environmental quality professionals at Zimmetry offer building assessments, air testing and monitoring, and consulting services to identify and resolve mystery odor complaints in Puerto Rico and across the Caribbean. Zimmetry even 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 Zimmetry Environmental and their building science, indoor environmental quality, compliance and consulting services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005 or email info@zimmetry.com .

About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals and Fortune 500 companies. The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America. The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs and general environmental consulting services.

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

Contact via E-mail