A new approach to the assessment of odour nuisance

Beaman, A L (1988). A new approach to the assessment of odour nuisance. PhD thesis The Open University.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21954/ou.ro.0000f930

Abstract

After reviewing the current situation with regard to the assessment of odour nuisance, the development of a new approach is presented.
Descriptions are given of the new techniques, which have been developed for quantifying odour intensity, concentration, hedonic tone and annoyance. Statistical analyses of laboratory and field test data collected using these techniques provided mathematical relationships 1 for the assembly of the odour nuisance assessment model. .The nuisance criteria adopted was derived from various guidelines and standards from the U.S. and Europe. For completeness an atmospheric dispersion model was developed for estimating the behaviour of odours downwind of the source. This made it possible to assess the probability of an odour nuisance occurring, using any one of a number of different points of knowledge, e.g. existing or future situations.
The assessment method has been tested against independent historical data and been demonstrated to be an effective tool in predicting odour nuisance with a consistency better than any existing method.
A listing is provided for a computer program to enable the user to apply the model both quickly and effectively.