By: Todd Crawford; New York State Department of Health – todd.crawford@health.ny.gov
A persistent, pervasive odor was reported in a 2-year-old, unoccupied model home. The complainant suspected the odor originated from spray polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation, but as our investigation progressed, we noted several reasons why SPF was unlikely to be the primary source. Background research indicated that autoxidation of long chain fatty acids in wooden construction materials would generate pungent carbonyl compounds, suggesting both a source and a chemical mechanism for odorous chemical formation inside a finished wood-frame building. A sampling and analysis plan confirmed our hypothesis that, indoor air was contaminated by emissions from the composite wood products used to construct the home.