Each week, we answer your questions by tapping our network of experts in companies, nonprofits, government agencies, and consultancies.

How do I know if that unpleasant smell in my company’s factory is hazardous to my health?

It can be very difficult to determine whether an odd or annoying odor is actually a cause for concern, says Michael K. Peterson, MEM, environmental health scientist at Intertox, which offers toxicological evaluation and public health risk-assessment services. However, he says, one approach is to first determine what product is causing the odor, and then use the Material Safety Data Sheet to find what hazardous chemicals are contained in the product.

Assuming that one of these is responsible for the smell, you can look up information on each chemical’s odor characteristics (i.e., What kind of odor is typically associated with chemical X?) and thresholds (i.e., What is the lowest concentration or level at which chemical X can be smelled in the air?). For the chemicals with characteristics similar to what is being smelled from the factory, you can compare thresholds to established worker safety guidelines such as the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Permissible Exposure Limits. If the odor threshold exceeds the PEL, then it is possible that you are being exposed to chemicals at an unsafe level. At this point it may be helpful to seek advice from a toxicologist to more accurately assess the nature and extent of potential exposure threats.

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