What could smell of acetone?!

Question

I've noticed the smell of acetone. I have since encountered 3 main pockets - one is my bedroom (lots of electrical equipment, but none of it smells strongly).

One is the living room, some equipment, but it's prob not computer in there - possibly the stereo?!

Last place is the corridor outside the living room, next to the hot water tank, but not the boiler (that's in a different room).

What could be causing this? Is it worth phoning some form of (UK) authority about it? Much as I would enjoy seeing some cool flying monkeys I'm less keen on the possibly oncoming headache...

Cheers! :)

Answer 1

When I think of Acetone, I think of Nail Polish Remover. But, I doubt it's this.

IDK what could smell like acetone.

Does it smell like rotten eggs? That could be Natural Gas Leak, in that case, YES...Call the authorities.

Carbon Monoxide is odorless, colorless...so not that.

To err on the safeside, you could always call the Fire Dept to check it out. Better Safe than Sorry!

Answer 2

Assuming that you do not use nail polish remover, the acetone could be wafting in from outside.  Do you live in an apartment or condo?  Even if you live in a single-family home, the acetone could be coming from a neighbor painting, etc.  Also check to see if solvents have spilled in your garage or somewhere else.

It shouldn't be coming from electrical equipment, but you can check by tuning it off and smelling after a few hours (it will cool down, and so the rate of any acetone release will decrease).

One final possibility: some types of diabetes cause people to produce acetone in their breath and urine.  If you consistently smell the acetone only in the areas you mention, this is probably not the cause.  However, if the smell seems to follow you around, you should look into this possibility.  It is a pretty serious condition though, so you would probably know already if you had it.