Whatever happened to ... that mystery smell at Kempsville Area Library?

VIRGINIA BEACH 

The smell for the past couple of years at the Kempsville Area Library was not of old books. Think wet ink or even paint thinner.

Not everyone noticed it, but on some warm days, it was not unusual for a customer to ask staff whether they were painting. There were questions of public safety and even evacuations. Despite several rounds of tests, the source of the smell has never been located.

The big stink began two summers ago, when library employees complained of paint or ink fumes, which caused itchy eyes and dry throats. After the building was evacuated in December 2006, three employees developed hives.

GeoEnvironmental, a company that has worked with the city on the problem since November 2006, first pinpointed high concentrations of Stoddard solvent, a colorless, flammable liquid that smells and tastes like kerosene. It seemed to be seeping into the building from an electrical room.

City workers sealed the underground pipes, which ferry communication and electrical wire into the building and installed fans. They checked for mold, searched for leaks and even replaced the roof. They looked for more tests to figure out whether the elevated levels posed a health risk.

Soil tests performed in April 2007 added a wrinkle. It identified not one, but a pair of chemicals that were ingredients commonly found in paint and glues.

The smell persisted.

The most recent tests were conducted in March. According to a report issued earlier this month, the test showed that the presence of volatile organic compounds were more irritating than dangerous. The levels were still below those regulatory agencies consider harmful, but higher than normal for a public building, according to the report.

"My biggest concern is for the safety of the public and staff, and I feel that if the building was not safe, I would be the first person to say that it should be closed," said library Director Marcy Sims.

The city has begun using portable air cleaners with charcoal filters, which has lowered the concentrations of volatile organic compounds in the building.

Sims hopes the mystery smells will be eliminated when the library is renovated in December.

The work will include improvements to the ventilation systems - including permanent charcoal filters - to purify the air and remove airborne contaminants.

"We are not going to rest until we solve the problem," Sims said.

Duane Bourne, (757) 222-5150, duane.bourne@pilotonline.com