Descriptive Epidemiology of Indoor Odor Complaints at a Large Teaching Institution

Abstract

Abstract Investigation of indoor odor complaints consumes a substantial portion of the time and resources of many industrial hygiene offices, yet very little information has been published on the subject. We examined 3 years of data on indoor odor complaints at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts in order to identify factors that may trigger complaints of odors. Using a standardized odor investigation form, we extracted information concerning the sources of odors, the activities responsible for the odors, seasonal differences in the frequency of complaints, correlation between a complainant's description and the actual source, the types of rooms from which complaints were received, the department from which the complaint originated, and efforts to abate the problem. No source could be identified in 25 percent of the investigations. Of all the calls, plumbing accounted for 16 percent, maintenance supplies 14 percent, and renovation or building materials 11 percent. Plumbin...