How can I determine the source of cigarette smoke that has been coming into my apartment so I can block it.
I live on the third floor rear of a six-floor brownstone in NYC. There are two apartments on each floor, front and rear (except one on the
6th). I believe that only the people in the fourth floor front smoke. All my windows face a backyard area. The backs of a restaurant up the block and two large apartment buildings also face this area.My building has no central air conditioning system. I've closed off the two exhaust vents (in the kitchen and bathroom) with thick plastic and duct tape.
Lately, I have noticed a constant smell of cigarette smoke, usually starting mid-day and lasting until 4 a.m. or 5 a.m. This goes on for a few days or a few weeks and then stops for a few days or a few weeks and then starts again. The the people in the first floor rear apartment have also noticed it.
The smell is strongest in my bedroom, which is farthest away from the smokers in the front apartment upstairs.
I suspect that the smoke is from the restaurant's exhaust, due to the hours I smell it. And I think I only smell it sometime because of changes in wind direction. (I just thought of this and will keep track of that going forward.)
But I'm not sure, and it may be that some is also entering my apartment from somewhere in my building.
Are there any tests or chemicals to determine the source of the smoke?
Thanks for any help.
Ellen