WESTVILLE – A persistent, noxious odour has developed in a seniors’ apartment building in this town and its residents have no idea what could be causing it.
Betty Davidson, who lives in Diamond Crest Apartments, said she first noticed the smell about six weeks ago. It seems the strongest near Davidson’s front door and in another room in her apartment.
“I don’t know,” she said. “It’s not healthy, whatever it is.”
She guesses it could possibly be mildew. On damp days, she said the odour does become stronger.
Since it developed, she said she’s moved her bed into her living room and taken some of her things out of the bedroom to keep them from becoming saturated in the smell.
“I couldn’t sleep, that’s why we had to bring the bed out.”
The Eastern Mainland Housing Authority, which manages the property, is looking into the situation, but has yet to determine where it’s coming from.
Scott Bullerwell said the authority is “checking all the common areas where there would be problems,” but with no luck so far.
“That’s the hard part, there doesn’t seem to be a source – otherwise we’d just go in and be done with it.”
In the meantime, air quality testing has taken place at the building. It didn’t determine there was anything hazardous in the air – and unfortunately didn’t shed any light on this situation either.
The residents at the building have suggested that perhaps the next place to look will be outside the building and Bullerwell said that’s likely the next step.