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What Causes Those Mysterious Odors? |
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The presence of odors in any type of commercial building raises concerns for Indoor Air Quality quicker than most other issues. A building's occupants perceive that poor indoor air quality and odors in the workplace are synonymous. As they are becoming less tolerant of odors, the cry for professional assistance has grown from building owners and facility managers.
Detecting and tracking odors is a challenge for even the most experienced investigator. That's because odors are frequently intermittent (present one minute and gone the next), and what might be objectionable to one person may not even register on the "old stink-o-meter" to the next.
Although the human nose is the most delicate odor instrument ever developed, we can't always tell what or where the source of the problems are. Often, our only avenue then involves testing the air for the presence of specific chemicals or compounds.
Air testing for odors is a specific science which requires the proper tools, training, and patience. Combining the results of scientific testing, with an understanding of a building's sources, can lead the experienced investigator directly to the cause. But there are ways that you can help the investigator save his time and your money.
Detecting and controlling odors is possible in most situations, but it can take some very specialized investigative techniques. These techniques may require developing a "log" of odor times, or they may involve interviews with the affected occupants to determine their unique perception of the odor's nature. Either way, their perception of an odor, even a random and inconsistent one, can mean that you've got an Indoor Air Quality problem.
If you have problems with periodic odors, contact us for further advice. |
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