AboutDavid L. Russell, PE Expertise I`m a Chemical,Civil and Environmental Engineer and have a number of projects in all phases of the environment.
I have worked in the chemical industry and am active in professional societies, and am currently on an industrial wastes committee for the Water Environment Federation, and have taught courses in remediation in the US and abroad.
I have written one book on Remediation of petroleum Contaminated Sites, and have a second book on PRACTICAL WASTEWATER TREATMENT to be published by John Wiley in September, 2006. I've also written over 30 articles on various elements of environmental problems and cleanup. Most Recently, I have addressed a NATO Scientific and Techical Conference on Ecoterrorism, and have worked with the same group on remediation of sites contaminated with Chemical Warfare Agent materials and othe materials as well. . I can answer q`s about Chemical and Environmental Engineering, land development, air pollution, water pollution, soil and water cleanup, combustion, international environmental problems, industrial processes chemical processes. Civil and Environmental and Chemical Engineering. Overall, I have over 35 years of experience in this area. Note: I do not answer homework questions
Experience I love work in the third world and developing areas
because it is challenging and one can get a sense of accomplishment.
Question I'm hoping that somebody can give me an answer to a problem I'm having in my yard. Around my patio area there is a strange odor that smells like burned rubber! No one around us has burned any rubber, this location is not near an automobile or garbage, and we haven't used any chemicals. It's very strong and is there all the time! It started about 2 months ago and nobody seems to have an explanation. I have pet birds so I'm very concerned about the smell being toxic since it is not far from my back door. Also, there is no odor inside the house. The only things around it are a picnic table, an awning, and some shrubs. I live in southwestern Pa. Help me identify this!
Answer There are some interesting possibilities. Do you have a septic system? If so, has it been pumped out recently. Where is the vent for your system, and is it anywhere near the point you have noticed the odors. If you have a sewer system there is the posiblity that there may be a vent there as well.
There is the possibility that a burrowing animal, including a skunk or some other animal make have taken up residence in the shrubs near the source of the odor. I doubt that the picinic table or the awning could be the source of the odor unless they are heavilty encrusted by mold.
Look for the animals and the sewer vent first, especially if you don't have sewer but are on septic.
Good luck.
