The process begins with assessment of when and where odour sampling should be performed. This includes consideration of operational conditions, emission sources and regulatory requirements related to odour documentation.
Air, odour and emissions
Measurement and analysis of odours
Document odour emissions and assess their impact on the surrounding environment.
Companies such as restaurants, manufacturing facilities and wastewater treatment plants can emit odours that affect the surrounding environment. These emissions are regulated through environmental legislation and the company’s environmental permit, which require documentation of odour emissions and their impact on nearby areas. The applicable requirements depend on the company’s activities and the expected environmental impact.
Odour sampling, analysis and assessment
The work may include odour sampling, collection and analysis of samples, and evaluation of emissions in relation to applicable regulations and requirements in the Odour Guideline. The measurements provide data that can be used to assess odour emissions against current requirements and limit values (B-values). The results can be included in documentation for authorities and in assessments of odour impact on the surrounding environment. The service is part of our catalogue within air, odour and emissions and is available in both Denmark and Norway.
Challenges
When odour emissions are not documented, companies may struggle to respond to complaints or regulatory requirements.
Odour emissions may cause nuisance in surrounding areas
Unlike many other forms of pollution, odours are perceived directly by people and may therefore quickly lead to complaints from neighbours. When odour emissions are not documented, companies may find it difficult to explain the source of the odour or evaluate its environmental impact.
Annoyed neighbours may call in the authorities
In cases of odour nuisance, environmental authorities may require companies to document their odour emissions and assess their impact on the surrounding environment. This documentation may form the basis for regulatory decisions or requirements regarding emission reduction.
Environmental requirements can create documentation obligations
Many companies operate under environmental permits with specific requirements for odour assessment. Even without an environmental permit, companies may still be regulated under environmental legislation, in which authorities can require compliance with guideline limit values set out in the Odour Guideline.
Missing basis delays reduction decisions
Without measurements, analysis and dispersion-based assessment, companies lack a basis for deciding on outlet height, reduction technologies and other measures intended to reduce odour nuisance and avoid future complaints.
Benefits
Get documented odour emission data to support regulatory requirements, complaint handling and decisions on emission reduction.
Document odour emissions for regulatory evaluation
Accredited odour measurements provide data that can be used to assess odour emissions in relation to environmental permit, regulatory requirements and ground level limit values.
Support evaluation of odour complaints
Measurement and analysis can provide information for authorities or companies investigating complaints of odour nuisance from industrial activities.
Assess options for reducing odour emissions
Evaluation of odour measurements may inform companies' consideration of technical or operational measures to reduce odour emissions.
