Lingering Smoke Smell?

9/30/2019 (Permalink)

Why removing the smell of smoke after a fire is one of the most difficult processes

The reason?
The human nose, on average, includes millions of sensorial neurons. Humans understand odors because thousands of extremely delicate olfactory nerve cells in the nostrils trip an event deep in the limbic system of our brain. Once tripped, the brain generates emotional reactions and memories. Exposure to the smell of smoke triggers a prompt and automated emotional event. Because the sense of smell has the most prolonged remembrance of the senses, it isn't easy to block out a response once you’ve been exposed.

What is the origin of the odor?
We smell smoke after the fire is out, but what we’re actually recognizing is the tiny specks of uncomplete burning (PIC) and volatile organic compounds (VOC). The bigger, seeable material is called “soot.” Some of the smaller PIC’s are little more than 20 microns around.

When the PIC’s and VOC’s go airborne in the fire, we inhale them into the nose and lungs initiating a reaction. The materials get in and on everything. The PIC’s creating the smell get in all regions of your residence or company. They even conceal themselves in cavities underneath floors or behind walls. They must be treated professionally because an alteration in barometric pressure or humidity can release the particles again. This created the smell of smoke months later.