Odeurs & Nuisances
Definitions
What is an odor?
Odor is a perception: the volatile chemical substances in the air we breathe stimulate the receptor cells in our olfactory system. The brain then interprets this stimulus as an odor.
The European standard EN 13725 - « Determination of odour concentration by dynamic olfactometry », defines odor as an «organoleptic attribute perceptible by the olfactory organ on sniffing certain volatile substances. »
The perception of an odor depends on :
- the odor concentration and intensity
- the quality (identity)
- the hedonic tone (pleasant / unpleasant)
The nuisance potential of an odor is related to the combined effect of these properties but also to other parameters such as:
- the dispersion in the air: turbulence, wind direction and speed, etc.
- the frequency of perception: place of residence of people impacted, time spent outdoors, etc.
- the perception context: interference with other odors, activity in progress when the odor is perceived, etc.
- the peculiarities of each individual: exposure history, association with the concept of risk, psychological factors, etc.
What is olfactory pollution?
According to Article L.220-2 of the Environmental Code which repeals the law of December 30, 1996 on air quality and rational use of energy: «Human introduction, directly or indirectly, into the atmosphere and enclosed spaces of substances having adverse consequences likely to endanger human health, to harm biological resources and ecosystems, to influence climate change, to deteriorate materials goods and to cause excessive odor nuisances is an air pollution.»
The odor becomes pollution from the moment it is perceived as (excessive) nuisance by the population: we then speak of «olfactory pollution». Limit values of odor concentration and odor flow rates have been established in a number of legislations, these values to help prevent the occurrence of nuisances.
Source : Agency for Environment and Energy Management (ADEME). Olfactory pollution. Origin-Legislation-Analysis-Treatment. Collection Technology and Engineering. Dunod, Paris 2005.
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