23) large insect nests (termites, ants, beetles, bees, etc) can have a chemically smell - but presumably if people have been in the attic and crawlspace they would have mentioned an insect infestation if they saw it. Since no one else can smell it and and you have none in your home, I would see your doctor to rule out olfactory conditions. 9) if possibly ozone, rather than chlorine (the biting sharp smell some electric motors and transformers and brush-type motors put out), then check around any electric motors you have - furnace blower, water or sump pumps, "instant on" hot water recirculation pump, A/C, furnace blower, reefer, doorbell or furnace/boiler transformer, etc. Today the termite guy came to inspect (do not freak it isn't termites) and noticed the lines to my geothermal furnace were dripping at the couplings and a small puddle of water on the floor! Please respond back if you would (using the Answer This Questions yellow button right below your question) with what the source finally turns out to be - I am real curious about this one. The firm doing the testing, assuming they are an industrial or environmental health firm, should also be able to (and should volunteer to do) develop a remediation protocol (cleanup procedure) and cleanup and confirmation testing plan, once they know what the problem is. We use unscented everything. Might you be using one more often than you did previously? Has he brought some home and stored it somewhere? What could this smell be from? OMG the junk that was in there! Here's a crazy thought: have you, by any chance, bought a new laser printer recently? Bleach smell is on the general meth or drug manufacturing chemicals list for processing and for cocaine/heroid processing too - but could as well be present if used in high concentrations to try to remove the other odors. Walls also washed several times, several different ways. Ozone generator is sometimes used (most commonly for smoke odor from fire (accidental or heavy wood stove/fireplace use) or from tobacco use - it can eliminate odors from a range of organic compounds if it reaches to it, so normally circulated through the air duct system to reach all areas. Well..... tried it in the master bedroom vanity area and left it an extra day as I can't be exposed to it with my sensitivities. Have you experienced this before? I'm at my wits end. Though the fact you and the home inspector during purchase (if you had an inspection done) did not detect the smell at that time - which could mean it was wide open windows and airing out when you were there (which would imply owner know about the issue and failed to disclose it) or that possibly it was something going on after your offer and inspection and before closing - a vacant house presenting an opportunity for just a day or few of illegal use. if it's from what I think it is, then it's undoubtedly still there. Thanks for your question and we look forward to assisting you! My husband is not a mold technician. If it is strong enough that it permeates the clothing within 15 minutes of being in the house, personally I would not have been staying there at all, from a personal health standpoint, and absolutely not if any child or person with known significant medical issues in the family who could be affected - and I would not be in the least surprised if a temporary moveout during the investigation is what the environmental contractor will recommend as soon as they smell it too if it is that strong and permeating. If you smell electrical burning, cut the power to your unit and call a technician for help.” https://www.getzschman.com/blog/whats-smell-5-furnace-odors-mean/, “ 9) if possibly ozone, rather than chlorine (the biting sharp smell some electric motors and transformers and brush-type motors put out), then check around any electric motors you have - furnace blower, water or sump pumps, "instant on" hot water recirculation pump, A/C, furnace blower, reefer, doorbell or furnace/boiler transformer, etc. Since undergoing chemo more than 15 years ago, I have developed all kinds of reactions to ordinary smells. Angie's List Call Center, © 1995-2020, Angie's List. To our knowledge (and from what the homeowner is telling us this is the ONLY thing that was done to the house while under contract). In some cases, children may consume cleaning products that contain chlorine. You did not say if you are adjacent to industrial property with storage warehouses which might have leaking chemicals, a chemical plant or water/sewage treatment plant or laundry facility or such which could be leaking or illegally disposing of chemicals, or a landfill which could be leaking or discharging odorous materials. The smell of chlorine can be PE clothes rvym a signal indicating the beginning of the development of atrophic rhinitis. Sniff around at ducts when blower is running (which is likely a brushless motor so not likely source), any constant hot water system circulating pump or heat pump like on water heater, sump pump, reefer or deep freezer when running, and fans when running. It smells toxic. Often I can smell things that other people can't but the smell is actually coming from somewhere. 14) look around for a hidden spot you do not know about - in-wall storage, under-stair cubby, attic (including possible separate attic over garage or such), utility closet bins or cabinets, fruit cellar, wall safe etc which might have leaking chemicals or rotting food or such in it. For example I will have a terrible reaction to lavender, or to paint that nobody else smells or nobody smells it very strongly, it but we can always hunt it down and find the source. Answered by LCD: Sounds dangerous for long exposure or sleeping in, especially if you have children in the house - and almost certain your insurance company will not cover diagnosis, treatment, or temporary living expenses because most specifically exclude chemical exposure losses. He is an attorney. In particular, was there any mold removal or waterline or water heater (though latter two would be smelled in the water if strong residual) disinfection done - either to kill algae in lines/tank/well or such, or to disinfect significant pipe replacement project (new water lines are disinfected before put in use). Oh - one thing - you said IAQ expert was in attic - did he/she check out the rest of the house, and was the smell noticed/identified by that person ? Before going to an air quality firm (going to be pretty pricey, though if that strong a smell testing probably will be definitive as to what chemical it is) you might consider a few more second opinions first - from friends or family, and/or from a Home Inspector and/or Plumber - both as a second sniffer to try to tie down where it is coming from, and also as a new (and with home inspector and plumber more experienced with manyu household smells) opinion as to exactly what the smell is from - is it cleaning product, chlorine, overheated insulation or plastic electronic device housing, flooring, paint, etc ? Perhaps someone is washing with chlorine bleach and the dryer vent is blowing toward your home? The chlorine smell in water tends to dissipate as it travels to farther destinations. 4) heater element in dishwasher staying on all the time, overheating plastic and causing it to stink. Those were serial commas. Generally, a sewage-like or rotten egg odor in your tap water results when sulfur-reducing bacteria grow in your drain, water heater, or well. The trap had completely dried out and there was SO much build up sewer gas. Moisture and mold can collect and build up inside the stone foundation where the eye cannot see. So I cleaned out the opening at the furnace drain pan with a bottle washer brush but still not draining properly. You did not say what type of insulation you have - is it possible chemical was sprayed on a foam insulation that it reacted with ? If that’s not the problem, vacuum and then scrub the “firebox”—the area that contains the fire at the base of the chimney. There is no smell in 1/2 bath or laundry closet on 1st floor. Commonly on the order of $0.05-0.25/SF with higher end usually being only for the directly contaminated surfaces, lower end for secondary contamination and areas where airborne odors are sticking. 17) one last option - don't really smell like bleach to me, but some wood funguses do have an astringent, sharp, very chemically smell - so could be significant wood rot from a leaking pipe in the house - though would not expect that to be detectable very far outside the house if at all. There was an entertainment center in the house that we gave to our handy man.....he put it in his garage and recently told us it smelled up his entire garage with the chemical smell!!! 6) pool chlorination system leak or overdosing the pool - which considering you can smell it outside might be a good place to check - even shut and turn the chlorination system totally off for a day or two to see if the smell goes away. 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