The workers renovating the unoccupied twin (semi-attached) house adjoining ours have been using various solvents of unknown origin. Whatever they are, the smell is terrible. I peeked through the windows of the house and it looks like they might be sealing the floors with polyeurothane. They're not ventilating the house and they close all the windows at night. Due to health concerns we have left the house and are staying at a hotel for the night. I would like to know what risks, if any, there exist from these kinds of fumes, what I can do to resolve this, and whether it's at all possible to get some kind of compensation from the house's owner. [more inside]
posted by Deathalicious on Dec 4, 2012 - 35 answers

Where can I find a central hub of all the products and chemicals banned or being phased out by the European Union? Which particular countries are ahead of the EU? (e.g., banning even more instead of waiting for EU consensus, all in the interest of public health or due to inconclusive info about these kinds of products) Please provide links to detailed lists for those.
posted by mayurasana on Nov 27, 2012 - 3 answers

Where can I learn more about professional (or semi-professional) equipment for testing the levels of indoor air toxins like carbon monoxide, radon, mold, VOCs, etc.? Here's a Talk of the Nation show that addresses the need, if it helps.
posted by glibhamdreck on Feb 18, 2008 - 8 answers