Preventing odor emissions requires precise monitoring, identifying sources, and implementing effective technical solutions that reduce their intensity and range.
Odor nuisance is a subjective discomfort experienced by humans due to the presence of odorous substances in the air. Sources of odor emissions can vary in nature – point, surface, or linear – and occur virtually in any economic activity, from food industry to waste management.
Characteristics of odor, such as its type, intensity, hedonic quality, or frequency of occurrence, affect people’s perceptions, which may differ due to individual sensitivity. Odors not only reduce quality of life but can also negatively impact health, causing headaches, nausea, irritation, or mental issues like depression.
Comprehensive odor analysis
We specialize in conducting odor analyses, including measurements of odorous substance emissions and modeling their dispersion in the air, according to applicable standards and regulations.
We use accredited methods such as dynamic olfactometry, compliant with the standards PN-EN 13725:2022-07 and VDI 3880:2011. We base odor dispersion modeling on the reference methodology provided in the regulation regarding reference values of substances in air (Dz. U. z 2010 r. poz. 87).
Measurements of odorous substance emissions
The result of measuring emissions of odorous substances is the concentration level of odorous substances expressed in the unit ouE/m3 (European Odour Unit), which can also be converted into the emission rate of odorous substances introduced into the air per unit of time ouE/h.
The measured concentration of odorous substances is the sum of the effects of all compounds contained in the studied mixture, considering mutual interactions between these compounds that may enhance or weaken the odor.
Such measurements are essential for assessing the impact of a plant on the olfactory quality of air since the criteria for this assessment are also based on the concentrations of odorous substances in the unit ouE/m3 and the frequency of occurrences of odorous substances in sensitive areas.
For which companies is the service intended?
The service is intended for companies that emit odorous substances in their technological processes or plan investments that may cause odor nuisances, which could lead to complaints about their activities. Our services are also aimed at offices that receive complaints, as well as institutions issuing administrative decisions in the area of environmental protection. Additionally, our clients are plants that need to comply with EU directives, including BAT (Best Available Techniques) documents.
Each of these clients can commission measurements and analyses to assess odor nuisance, regulatory compliance, as well as in the planning of new investments or remedial actions.
Industry and production
- Industrial plants (e.g., chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical)
- Wastewater treatment plants
- Landfills and waste processing facilities
- Animal farms and food processing plants
- Biogas and bioenergy production plants
Administration and municipalities
- Municipal and city offices responsible for environmental protection
- Environmental inspection bodies
- Sanitary and epidemiological services
Consulting and research companies
- Companies involved in environmental impact assessment (EIA)
- Research laboratories and scientific units
- Consulting firms dealing with environmental protection
Residents and social organizations
- Local communities complaining about unpleasant odors
- Ecological organizations monitoring air quality
Each of these clients can commission measurements and analyses to assess odor nuisance, regulatory compliance, as well as in the planning of new investments or remedial actions.
Clients’ problems and challenges
Industrial / municipal plants
- Complaints from residents and social organizations about odor nuisances.
- Protests by associations and local initiatives against odor emissions.
- Interventions by local and regional authorities related to odor nuisances.
- Legal ambiguities regarding odor emission regulations.
- Difficulties in obtaining environmental decisions required for investments.
- The need to meet EU requirements, including BAT (Best Available Techniques) Directives.
- Identification of causes and sources of odors in technological processes.
- Characterization of substances and their mixtures responsible for odor emissions.
- Modern methods of reducing and preventing odors.
- Financial and reputational effects associated with odor emissions and neglect in this regard.
- Implementation of technologies and solutions in line with sustainable development principles.
- Collaboration with experts and the local community to minimize nuisances.
Institutions / offices
- Lack of clear legal regulations regarding permissible levels of odor emissions.
- Differences in the interpretation of regulations at local, national, and EU levels.
- The complex nature of industrial processes that generate odor emissions.
- Resistance from plants towards implementing costly technological solutions.
- Difficulties in enforcing recommendations and administrative orders.
- Increased social protests and pressure from ecological organizations.
- The necessity of mediation between residents and industrial plants.
- Issues with obtaining reliable and systematic data from plants.
- Ambiguities in declarations regarding the size and nature of emissions.
- The need to adapt local regulations to the requirements of BAT Directives.
- Time constraints on implementing new technological standards.
Laboratories / consulting companies
- Current knowledge and regulatory compliance.
- Access to analytical tools.
- Modern measurement and analysis methods.
- Effective communication with clients.
- Support in gaining client trust.
- Project risk management. Total project costs.
Benefits of the odor measurement and analysis process
- clear and undisputed determination of the actual impact on the odor quality of the air surrounding the plant (without the influence of any other emission sources),
- determination of concentrations or frequency of occurrence of odors at any point in the computational grid around the plant,
- identification of significant sources of odorous substance emissions into the air,
- determination of the level of odorous substance emissions from the plant area,
- indication of the contribution of individual sources to the impact on the odor quality of air surrounding the plant,
- possibility of designing changes in installations in case of a need to reduce the plant’s impact on the odor quality of air.
How much does the service cost?
The final costs depend on:
- The scope and complexity of the project
- Type of analyses and measurement technology
- Location and client requirements
Investment amount:
- Olfactometric measurements: from 5,000 PLN
- Odor analyses: from 6,900 PLN
Do you want to know more?
Contact us to learn more.
