Establishing the extent of odour plumes and buffers for waste handling facilities. (15th July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bydder, Chris; Demetriou, Jim
• Is Part Of: Waste management. Volume 95(2019)
• Page Start: 356
• Page End: 364
• Publication Date: 2019-07-15
• Subjects: Odour -- Separation distances -- Land use -- Surveillance -- Sniffing team -- In-field; Hazardous wastes -- Periodicals; Refuse and refuse disposal -- Periodicals; 363.728
• DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2019.06.028
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0956-053X

Abstract

Highlights: In-field odour assessment are used to predict odour impacts from odorous industries. New methodology to conduct in-field odour assessment is described in this paper. Buffer distances have been determined for example odourous industries. Using a 3-point intensity scale with objective criteria enables analysis of results. Abstract: Odour is a significant challenge for regulators of waste handling facilities due to the increasing demand for land surrounding these facilities. Many sites, including landfills, composters, abattoirs and rendering plants, that were once isolated are now close to residential areas. In some cases, this has contributed to odour impacts on residents living in those areas. Authorities have been reliant on odour modelling and odour design criteria to predict or estimate the distance at which impacts are likely to occur on sensitive land use. However, it is increasingly evident that reliance on modelling tools, and the estimated odour emission rates used in modelling, are not reflecting ground level observations. Environment Protection Authority Victoria ("EPA") conducted six in-field odour monitoring campaigns between 2007 and 2017. We studied these six campaigns to understand the extent of odour plumes from waste handling facilities. The campaigns used odour surveillance methodology developed by EPA. They consisted of in-field odour assessments around common waste handling facilities such as composters, landfills, abattoirs and rendering plants. We used the results of surveillance in conjunction with reverse trajectory plotting to estimate the typical extent and frequency of odour plumes as a function of distance. The study showed that the application of consistent in-field odour assessment methodologies improved understanding of odour plumes, and hence increases the options available to manage impacts.