Why does wilmington smell

After running for a bit, it should go away once everything has burned off. There are a few ways to help alleviate the smell. First is having annual maintenance. During a maintenance visit your system is cleaned and tested. Which can help eliminate some of the dust and debris buildup.

Although, if yours was performed already this year particles may have resettled. Just what is that nasty smell that reveals itself nearly every week? But no, this is more like a paper mill smell. I have heard it's indeed a paper mill, but I have also heard it's a chemical plant nearby. I have also heard that it's simply the landfill. This isn't a different smell every week. It's the same nasty poop smell that lingers several days out of every week.

So, what is the truth? Just what is that smell and why are the people of this city not marching downtown in protest of shutting down the source of it? Edward Teach. There's 2 smells. One is the paper mill at Rieglewwod, west of Wilmington The other is a "cat urine" smell that occurs occasionally. The exact cause of it is unknown, although it is suspected that an industrial plant along may be the issue. Originally Posted by Edward Teach. Originally Posted by TheJourneyman. One known source of the compound is a plant operated by Fortron Industries, which manufactures polyphenylene sulfide, or PPS.

PPS is a high-performance, heat-resistant plastic used in a wide variety of applications, such as airplane wings, car parts, power tools and circuit boards. Fortron has worked with state air quality experts in efforts to minimize the compound emitted from its site. Division of Air Quality specialists did an extensive study at one point around the Fortron plant, but instruments picked up only minute concentrations, he said.

One of the reasons it is hard to pinpoint the exact source is that the smell actually gets worse as the compound moves away from its point of origin. I have lived in Wilmington for years, all the locals I know have always contributed the smell to the paper mill, International Paper.

The odor varies depending in the direction of the wind. Actually, the Riegelwood smell is something completely different and much more foul.

That was a very eye-opening answer to the question about cat-litter smell. I was told it was from the lumber mills. When I asked natives, they never noticed it. I guess one can get used to anything. Well, I too got used to it. I still smell it once in a while here in Calabash.

Can you clarify that yes indeed lumber mills do emit a similar smell — maybe sweeter — or is it the same as the Wilmington area smell. Everytime we pass by the Invista plant on , the smell in overwhelming!! I live in Long Creek, 15 miles north of the plant and on some days we can smell it at our house!!

Have a comment about this post or know more about the answer? Use this form to let us know. Note that all comments are moderated and must be approved before they are posted, although you may see your own comments the first time you post them. What causes an odor like cat urine that is sometimes in the air around here? Merton Vance StarNews.