Identifying and Resolving Mystery Odor Complaints in the Built Environment

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

These odors 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 and industrial properties may also suffer from off-gassing from manufacturing processes.

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

“Odor complaints in the workplace often result in an investigation,” said Frank Selamie, President of CTSI. “Sometimes the source of the odor may be readily apparent, other times it can be a true mystery as there can be a myriad of possible sources in a typical building. When this occurs, an indoor air quality assessment by a qualified professional is often the next step. A qualified professional knows what to look for and how to take air samples. When the source of the odor is identified, it is then possible to develop a strategy to eliminate the odor through mechanical means, filtration, or changes in the content and daily practices within the building.”

Helping building owners and managers resolve these types of issues are the professionals at CTSI. Their building scientists, industrial hygienists, and indoor environmental quality experts offer testing, monitoring, training, and consulting services to identify and resolve mystery odor complaints. CTSI 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 CTSI and their indoor environmental quality testing and consulting resources, please visit www.ctsiweb.com, email contactus@ctsiweb.com, or call (212) 971-7016.

About CTSI
Established in 1992, Consulting & Testing Services, Inc. (CTSI) was founded on one strong commitment: to provide efficient and expert services to clients based on professionalism, innovation, and cost-effective expert solutions. This commitment has been furthered with CTSI’s reputation in fostering client relationships in all sectors of the Environmental, Health, Safety, and Construction industries. CTSI prides itself in utilizing a high quality service based on its diverse team of staff and professionals’ concise recommendations and solutions to the most pressing dilemmas. The company operates offices in New York and Florida that service clients across the United States.

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

Contact via E-mail