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ODOR COMPLAINTS FOR STYRENE USED IN FIBERGLASS OPERATIONS

Q: Do you have any comments on styrene odors from fiberglass fabricating/mold press operations?  (i.e. poor controls, over use, etc.) We're talking smelling well outside building across street, on the road, etc.

A: Many years ago I was involved with a printing company and neighbors frequently complained about odors.  In their case the extraction fans were located in the walls of the building and the fumes were emitted only 6 ft. from street level. 

Several contractors were called in to help solve the problem and the suggestion that came up most frequently was to raise the stack well above the roof and to increase the air velocity through the factory.

In the case of your fiberglass facility, you might consider both strategies; raising the stack and increasing the air velocity out of the stack.  Also, if the airflow is not too large and the styrene concentrations are fairly low, the company can consider pumping the exhaust air through one or more 55-gallon drums filled with activated carbon.   After breakthrough occurs the carbon can be (a) disposed of as hazardous waste, (b) recycled or (c)  regenerated.

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