Industrial Odor Source Identification Based on Wind Direction and Social Participation

Cannabis Cultivation Facilities: A Review of Their Air Quality Impacts from the Occupational to Community Scale

This review addresses knowledge gaps in cannabis cultivation facility (CCF) air emissions by synthesizing the peer-reviewed and gray literature. Focus areas include compounds emitted, air quality indoors and outdoors, odor assessment, and the potential health effects of emitted compounds. Studies suggest that β-myrcene is a tracer candidate for CCF biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs). Furthermore, β-myrcene, d-limonene, terpinolene, and α-pinene are often reported in air samples collected in and around CCF facilities. The BVOC emission strength per dry weight of plant is higher than most conventional agriculture crops. Nevertheless, reported total CCF BVOC emissions are lower compared with VOCs from other industries. Common descriptors of odors coming from CCFs include "skunky", "herbal", and "pungent". However, there are few peer-reviewed studies addressing the odor impacts of CCFs outdoors. Atmospheric modeling has been limited to back trajectory models of tracers and ozone impact assessment. Health effects of CCFs are mostly related to odor annoyance or occupational hazards. We identify 16 opportunities for future studies, including an emissions database by strain and stage of life (growing cycle) and odor-related setback guidelines. Exploration and implementation of key suggestions presented in this work may help regulators and the industry reduce the environmental footprint of CCF facilities.

Soil Odor as An Extra-Official Criterion for Qualifying Remediation Projects of Crude Oil-Contaminated Soil

Unfortunately, many property owners in southeastern Mexico do not trust environmental authorities, and the de facto method they use to evaluate the progress in environmental remediation projects is soil smell. This criterion was evaluated to determine if it was reliable to assess soil fertility and toxicity. Three soils (Fluvisol, Gleysol, and Arenosol), were contaminated with 2% medium or heavy crude oil (30.2, 17.1°API, respectively), and treated for 18 months to simulate bioremediation or natural attenuation. Every two months, field capacity, water repellency, hydrocarbon concentration, acute toxicity and soil odor were measured. Odor was measured in controlled conditions with a group of unexperienced panelists. During remediation, the Fluvisol and Gleysol were perceived to have an odor intensity between slight to low, and were considered acceptable. Meanwhile, in the Arenosol, the odor intensity was between low to medium and was considered unacceptable. After treatment, the hydrocarbon concentration was reduced to low levels, very near Mexican norm, and all the soils, including the Arenosol, were perceived to have an intensity between neutral to slightly agreeable, were considered acceptable, and no toxicity was observed in the earthworm bioassay (no false positives). However, in various soil samples from the Fluvisol and Arenosol, important risks were present with respect to field capacity and water repellency. Due to these observations, even though soil smell may be a trustworthy guide to soil toxicity, it does not ensure that the remediated soil’s fertility has been restored.

Impact of Odor Nuisance on Preferred Place of Residence

Context of the research: Research is increasingly carried out to take into account the social behavior of residents, the type of industry located in the area, and perceived preference for the place of residence. The quality of life in urban space is increasingly seen as a problem of cooperation between various stakeholders. These studies not only identify factors and sources of odor emissions, but also serve as the basis for creating systems to alert people living in areas adjacent to industrial areas or harmful and unpleasant industrial emissions. In recent years, environmental issues, particularly unpleasant sensory experiences, have been one of the most important acceptance criteria. Aim of the article: The aim of the study is to assess the impact of odor nuisance in the south-eastern part of Kraków (Płaszów) on the residents’ decision to leave their place of residence. In particular, the research goal was achieved to indicate which of the unpleasant odors may cause a change of residence, as well as to assess the degree of their impact on the decision to move, taking into account the social and demographic characteristics of residents. New in the article: The novelty of the work was the finding out of the residents’ opinions about the quality of life by accepting the place of residence, taking into account the aspect of odor nuisance. Previous studies on odor nuisance have focused on the emission of odors from individual plants. A novelty of this research is its implementation in an urban area, in which numerous industrial plants are located, with various odors emitted. Research methodology: To assess odor nuisance, a measuring tool developed in accordance with VDI 3883 guidelines was used, based on the latest research results on odor and noise nuisance. The questionnaire was developed based on German experience. Conclusions from the research: The data obtained as a result of the research allow us to state that specific smells are so burdensome that they may cause the necessity to leave the place of residence, because the respondents feel various unpleasant smells that have an adverse impact upon the quality of life that they perceive. A possible need for relocation of domiciles out of the current place of residence due to unpleasant smells would affect the perceptible, specific level of grief—the greater it is, the more attached the residents are to their current place of residence.

How Can Odors Be Measured? An Overview of Methods and Their Applications

In recent years, citizens’ attention towards air quality and pollution has increased significantly, and nowadays, odor pollution related to different industrial activities is recognized as a well-known environmental issue. For this reason, odors are subjected to control and regulation in many countries, and specific methods for odor measurement have been developed and standardized over the years. This paper, conceived within the H2020 D-NOSES project, summarizes odor measurement techniques, highlighting their applicability, advantages, and limits, with the aim of providing experienced as well as non-experienced users a useful tool that can be consulted in the management of specific odor problems for evaluating and identifying the most suitable approach. The paper also presents relevant examples of the application of the different methods discussed, thereby mainly referring to scientific articles published over the last 10 years.