What is an Odor Investigation?

Persistent, bothersome odors in your home or business can be a nuisance. You may be tempted to buy a can of air freshener or light a scented candle, but these solutions mask the odor rather than eliminate it. If you want to get rid of the problem for good, you need to find the source of the odor and address it properly. This is where an odor investigation comes in.

An odor investigation is a scientific process that is used to determine the source of an odor. It is performed by a trained professional, armed with a variety of specialized equipment to help them identify the origin of the smell and the underlying cause.

The first step in an odor investigation is to interview the occupants of the property to get a better understanding of the odor problem. The inspector will ask about the history of the odor, its intensity, and when and where it is most noticeable. The inspector will also perform a visual inspection of the property, looking for any potential sources of odor, such as mold, mildew, or pet accidents.

Once the inspector has gathered all of the necessary information, they will begin to test the air for the presence of odor-causing compounds. This can be done using a variety of methods, such as:

• Olfactometry: This is a simple test that involves sniffing the air and noting the intensity and quality of the odor.
• Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS): This is a more sophisticated test that can identify the specific compounds that are causing the odor.
• Chemical ionization mass spectrometry (CIMS): This test is used to identify the chemical structure of the odor-causing compounds.

Once the source of the odor has been identified, a plan can be put in place to eliminate it. Depending on the cause of the odor, this may involve cleaning, disinfecting, or removing the source altogether.

If you have an odor problem in your home or business, an odor investigation is the first step to getting rid of it for good.