Re: [aihaih-list] Odors and Symptoms

[Guest guest]

Good morning –

Here are my thoughts.

Sampling for moulds was a complete waste of time and money.

Odors exclusively move via pressure differentials from source to recipient. Therefore, one can conclusively address the problem by removing one of three things: 1) the source, 2) the route of migration, or 3) the recipient.

I typically begin an odor investigation by mapping the pressure differentials to see where odors can (and cannot) migrate. This typically leads to identifying the source – or if it doesn’t at least you can mitigate the problem by interrupting the route of migration.

In this case, your clue is the temporal associations that were reported by the occupants regarding the new server room. Not having seen the building, obviously I haven’t a clue about the configuration, but as soon as someone mentions server rooms, I automatically want to know if there are Liebert units in the room (which can be filthy science projects if they haven’t been properly maintained) and I usually look for a false floor under the equipment and determine if the under-floor area is couple to a remote location.

I once solved an odor issue in a server room by determining that the cables serving the computers originated at a satellite dish farm approximately 200 meters from the main structure. The computer room was under negative pressure and the odors were originating from the opening of the conduit at the farm where vehicles were allowed to idle and equipment was being stored.

In short – I haven’t a clue – but there are some thoughts.

Cheers!Caoimhín P. ConnellForensic Industrial Hygienistwww.forensic-applications.com

(The opinions expressed here are exclusively my personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect my professional opinion, opinion of my employer, agency, peers, or professional affiliates. The above post is for information only and does not reflect professional advice and is not intended to supercede the professional advice of others.)

AMDG

I have a client with a frequent occurrence of a sweet, bug dope-like odor that is followed the next day by a musty odor.This has occurred during summer, fall, and winter months (with snow on ground).Symptoms includeBurning eyes, metallic taste, facial muscle pain, headache, narcosis, throat irritation, chest pressureThis is 2,000 ft2 slab on grade office building. 7 air handling units (yes, 7). 1 chiller for the server room.The building is dry. The roof is good. The siding is good. Wall openings in odor areas show dry, clean cavities. Air handlers were not remarkable. Air intakes for handlers are in the soffits rather than through the roof.It is a light commercial area with offices, a dentist, and Target retail in immediate vicinity.the only thing that changed before the onset of odors and symptoms was installation of a new server system and a new chiller for the server room. (Small, less than 100 ft2).Molds in Carpets or on Chiller Coils were as followAlternaria alternata, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus versicolor, Aureobasidium, Cladosporium, Curvularia, Epicoccum Nigrum , Fusarium , Mucor plumbeus, Penicillium, Phoma , Pithomyces chartarum, Rhodotorula, Trichoderma, Ulocladium, YeastsYeasts were high on two chiller coils not associated with the areas where odors are present. other than that, the distributions and the levels were generally unremarkable.Anyone got any thoughts?-- S. Abrams, CIHARS Environmental Health, Inc.11501 Fetterly Road WestMinnetonka, Minnesota 55305