Definition and description

olfactive Pollution relates to all the harmful effects which affect, touch the field of the Odorat. Smell pollutions seem the second reason for complaint after the noise.

Origin

The Odeur S are generally due to a multitude of different molecules, in very weak concentrations, mixed with the air which we breathe. The majority of the odorous compounds are detected on very low levels compared to the toxic levels. Contrary, very toxic gases as the Carbon monoxide do not have any odor.

Measure

The odors can be measured by an olfactometer which makes it possible to express the concentration of the odors in European Unit of Odors per cubic meter of air ( or e/m3). In France, the laboratory of Olfactometry EOG - Group GED is accredited for the realization of this type of olfactometric measurements on odorous samples of air. In Germany, one can also quote laboratory ECOMA.

Sources

Among principal the generating activities of odors , one can quote

• Refineries: gas and systems of recovery of gas, boilers

• inorganic Chemical industry: phosphoric acid
• organic Chemical industry: pharmacies, insecticides…
• Purification plants of the waste water
• paper Industry
• various Waste: household refuse, scrap fish, dejections of animals
• Elevage intensive and concentrated (pigs, bovines, poultries, etc)
• Epandage surfaces of it (liquid manures, muds, pesticides, etc)
• Traitement of by-products of animals: squarings, melters, hydrolysis of the feathers, dehydration of the poultry droppings, etc
• Iron and steel industry
• Agribusiness industry: yeasts, sugar, animal feeds
• Cheese dairy