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Measuring odors is not the same as doing a chemical
analysis of atmospheric pollutants. Indeed, you may know perfectly
well what pollutants are being released and at what rate,
but this may tell you nothing about the odor. Odor is caused
by volatile organic compounds usually emitted several at a
time, as a mix. The perceived odor is the result of their
combined interaction with the huge number of sensors in the
human nose. For the sake of illustration, human DNA contains
1 gene for hearing, 3 for vision, 12 for taste, and 1000 for
smell.
Odor characterization and measurement are a new field.
ODOTECH is a world leader in this area. Accurate instrumentation
for odor measurement is crucial, and ODOTECH has developed some
of the best instruments available today, including an advanced electronic
nose and the world’s leading olfactometer.
ODOTECH was able to do that because, among other things,
of its extensive experience as a provider of odor-related services
to municipalities, waste disposal sites, composters, manufacturing
plants, water treatment plants, and more.
Odor Impact Studies
An odor impact study is designed and prepared following
a scientific method similar to that of an air quality impact study.
Using techniques and tools specific to odors, an odor impact study
supplies the information required to assess the impact of a project
in terms of odor emissions, and is designed to meet regulatory requirements.
Atmospheric Dispersion of Odors
Conventional contaminant atmospheric dispersion
models do not allow adequate simulation of odor dispersion. Odotech
therefore simulates the atmospheric dispersion of odors using mathematical
models specifically designed for odors. There are many applications:
verifying facility compliance with existing regulations, estimating
the abatement level required to eliminate the odor problem, supplying
the elements needed to identify and select possible approaches, etc.
Stack, Surface Source (Liquid or Solid), and Ambient Air Sampling
Odor sampling to characterize the source is the first
stage in solving an odor problem. Odotech does ambient air as well
as point and surface emission source sampling.
Olfactometric and Chemical Analysis Characterization of Odors
Olfactometry means characterizing odors by means of
a trained jury of "noses". During an olfactometric analysis,
the jury is exposed to different dilutions of the odoriferous sample.
Physico-chemical characterization of an odoriferous sample is an
attempt to seek out and quantify the chemical elements present in
the atmosphère, to then check a tabulation of the olfactory
properties of each substance in order to try to characterize the
resulting odor. This method has definite limitations.
Public Surveys
In assessing nuisance odors, surveys can be effected
among the population involved in order to determine the degree of
inconvenience being caused.
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