Project Experience: Chemical Odor Identification

Carpet squares applied to a concrete floor that was previously tiled acquired a bad chemical odor. EMSL analyzed air samples in the room, and conducted environmental chamber testing on affected and unaffected carpet. A heavy hydrocarbon was found in the space and on affected carpet, and not on new uninstalled carpet. It was determined that the heavy hydrocarbon causing the odor came from the “no-odor” mastic remover used to remove the tile adhesive, traces of which remained in the concrete and contaminated the new carpet.