An "unpleasant odor" permeating the air around the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Carson Mall, is likely due to sealant being placed in the Gottschalks parking lot, officials said this morning.
According to Carson City Fire Battalion Chief Bob Charles, a black liquid with a petroleum solvent odor called Gilsonite may be the source of the chemical scent.
"We have isolated it to this sealant," Charles said.
About 8:30 a.m. employees of Bobby Page's Cleaners at the mall reported the smell and when Department of Public Safety employees on Stewart Street were questioned, they too reported the scent, said Daniel Burns, Southern Nevada Regional Manager for the Department of Public Safety/Emergency Management.
Employees in the west end of the complex nearest Stewart Street were given the option of evacuating, said Burns. There was no evacuation order.
About 36 Nevada Highway Patrol employees were moved to the Department of Public Safety's training facility on Snyder Avenue for observation.
Charles said three people have complained of symptoms such as nose and throat irritation, which according to the material safety data sheet on Gilsonite, are consistent with exposure to the product.
"Our question is, are there symptoms of genuine injury? That's what we are watching for," Burns said.
Battalion Chief Charles said sealant work in the parking lot is also scheduled for Friday.
Battalion Chief Dan Shirey said the environmental protection agency was on hand performing air-quality testing.
"Basically what it does is it monitors the air for possible contaminants, and based on the readings they can identify any type of levels of contaminants that are beyond safe levels," he said.
Watch the Nevada Appeal Web site for updates at they become available.