A chemical smell that will not leave
PCP, sometimes called angel dust, is often used in liquid form or applied to cigarettes and other smoking material. Owners and managers usually notice a sharp, chemical odor that lingers in the room long after the occupant is gone, along with stained or discolored fabrics.
Because the substance can soak into porous materials, removal of those materials is usually the core of the job.
Signs a property may need this cleanup
- A persistent chemical or solvent-like smell in one or more rooms
- Stained carpet, upholstery or mattresses with no obvious cause
- Small vials, dipped cigarettes or foil left behind
- Damaged furniture, broken glass or holes in walls
- Complaints from neighbors in adjoining units about odor
Neighbors and multi-unit buildings
In apartments and duplexes, a chemical odor can travel through shared walls, ceilings and hallways, prompting complaints from people next door. We keep the unit closed during work and can coordinate with the property manager on timing and communication with other residents, without sharing details about the person who lived there.
Order of operations
We take out soaked materials before anything else. Carpet and pad, mattresses, bedding, upholstered furniture, curtains and stained clothing are evaluated with you, and items that have absorbed residue or odor are bagged and removed. Cleaning around those items first would only spread residue onto surfaces we have already finished.
After removal, hard surfaces are HEPA vacuumed and washed with detergent solutions from ceiling to floor. Cabinets, closets and drawers in the affected rooms are emptied and wiped. Vent covers are cleaned and air filters replaced.
Where the subfloor or drywall has absorbed liquid, we document it so a contractor can decide whether those sections should be sealed or replaced.
Glass, sharps and body fluids
Some PCP scenes involve broken windows, mirrors or furniture. Glass and any syringes are collected with tools, never bare hands, and sharps go directly into puncture-resistant containers. If anyone was injured, blood on walls, floors or furnishings is cleaned and then disinfected with an EPA-registered product according to its label.
If police or a medical examiner responded, we start only after the property is released. If a crime occurred in a home, the family may be able to seek help from Tennessee's Criminal Injuries Compensation program; our crime scene cleanup page explains more.
Deodorizing after source removal
With soaked materials gone and surfaces washed, much of the odor goes with them. If a residual smell remains, a primer applied by your painter can seal cleaned walls, and deodorizing equipment can supplement the work. EPA notes that ozone may mask odors but has little support for removing them; if it is used, it is only in an unoccupied space with controlled re-entry.
Precautions until we arrive
- Ventilate with open windows if it is safe and practical.
- Keep children, pets and other tenants out of the unit.
- Wear gloves if you must touch anything, and wash with soap and water afterward.
- Do not burn, rinse or pour suspected liquid down a drain.
- Contact police if you find large quantities or containers of liquid.
Vehicles and other trades
Cars and trucks can hold PCP odor in seats, carpet and headliners. Hard surfaces are washed, and fabric components may need removal and replacement by an upholstery shop. Garages, sheds, hotel rooms and commercial spaces are handled the same way as a home: soaked materials first, then washing. Drywall, flooring and HVAC work go to contractors. See vehicle biohazard cleanup for more on interiors. We serve owners across Nashville and Middle Tennessee.