table of contents 
Historically, unpleasant odors have been considered warning signs or indicators of potential …
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Table 1. Examples of odor sources in indoor and outdoor air that frequently elicit health complaints (Schiffman, 1998; Shusterman, 1992; Schiffman et al., 2000).
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Table 2. Levels of odor exposure (adapted from Schiffman et al., 2000).
Level
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Description
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| (1) Odor detection |
The level of odor that can first be differentiated
from ambient air. |
| (2) Odor recognition |
The level of odor at which the odor quality can
first be characterized (for example, the level at which a person can first detect that an odor is apple or manure). |
| (3) Odor annoyance |
The level at which a person is annoyed by an odor but does not show or perceive a physical reaction. Note: Health symptoms are not expected at these first three levels unless the odor occurs with a copollutant such as dust as in Mechanism 3 or the level of annoyance is intense or prolonged. |
| (4) Odor intolerance (causing somatic symptoms) |
The level at which an individual may show or
perceive physical (somatic) symptoms to an odor. Note: This level corresponds to Mechanism 2 in which the odor induces symptoms even though the odorant concentration is lower than that known to cause irritation. |
| (5) Perceived irritant |
The level at which a person reports irritation or
physical symptoms as a result of stimulation of nerve endings in the respiratory tract. |
| (6) Somatic irritant |
The level at which an odorant (not an odor)
results in a negative physical reaction regardless of an individual's predisposition. This can occur when an odorous compound (for example, chlorine) damages tissue. Note: Perceived and somatic irritation correspond to Mechanism 1. |
| (7) Chronic toxicity |
The level at which an odorant can result in a
long-term health effect. |
(8) Acute toxicity
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The level at which an immediate toxic effect is
experienced (for example, a single event may evoke an acute health effect). Note: In the case of chronic or acute toxicity, the compound should not be considered an odorant but rather a compound with toxic effects that happens to have an odor.
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Table 3. Technology processes that may affect the management of odor emissions.
Odor remediation technology process
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Potential mechanism
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| Covered or enclosed anaerobic digesters |
Physical containment during biological anaerobic decomposition. |
| Nitrification and denitrification |
Biological aerobic catabolism of ammonia and organic odorants. |
| Solids separation (belt and screen systems) |
Reduced organic load of liquid manure requiring treatment. Enhanced drying of solids and reduced
mixing of manure solids with urine (belt system). |
| Aerobic biofiltration |
Biological catabolism of organic odorants under aerobic conditions. |
| Phosphorus precipitation |
Removal of nutrient (and bacteria) that can contribute to biological production of odorants. |
| Biosolids gasification |
Heat and pressure destruction of bioactive compounds and odorant generating bacteria. |
| Biosolids combustion |
Heat and pressure destruction of bioactive compounds and odorant generating bacteria. |
| Biosolids conversion to insect biomass |
Rapid decomposition of manure biosolids in contained environment. |
| Semipermeable cover |
Reduced dispersion and biological oxidation of odorant compounds. |
| Wetlands (constructed and reciprocating) |
Biological catabolism of organic odorants under aerobic conditions. |
| Drying and dewatering manure effluent |
Reduced liquid medium for biological decomposition. |
| Disinfection |
Reduction in the number of bacteria that produce odorant compounds during microbial decomposition. |
Ultrasonic energy and mechanical cavitation
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Gas (oxidant), heat, and pressure destruction of bioactive compounds and odorant generating bacteria.
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Source: J. Environ. Qual. 34:129-138 (2005).
Air
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Example
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| Indoor |
Tobacco smoke, ammonia, perfume or cologne, bathroom
tile cleaners, bleach, fresh paint, magic marker, nail polish remover, bathroom cleaners, pesticide treatment, mothballs, solvents (for example, turpentine), hair spray, potpourri, animal odors, restroom deodorizer, nail polish, adhesives, bed linens washed with odorous detergents, dry-cleaned clothes, scented candles, gas stove and oven, mold, formaldehyde (from particle board, tobacco smoke), new carpeting, building materials, detergent aisle in grocery store, beauty salon, dry cleaners, garden store, swimming pool, fabric store, motor vehicle body shops, photo-
processing stores. |
| Outdoor |
Stationary sources: Confined animal feeding operations
(for example, swine and poultry), livestock feed lots, rendering plants, sewage treatment plants, composting and other biomass operations, fertilizer factories, pesticide operations, industrial and hazardous waste sites, storm drain systems, sanitary landfills, paper mills, geothermal steam plants, petroleum refineries, foundries, chemical (plastics, adhesives, solvents) and food (bread, coffee, confectionery, oils) manufacturing factories, tanneries, metalworks. |
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Smaller area sources: Fumes from roof and road tar, metal
degreasing and painting operations, bakeries, breweries, fresh paint, gasoline, animal odors, burning leaves, molds, pesticide treatment. |
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Mobile sources: Diesel exhaust, general traffic exhaust
(cars, buses, planes, trucks, trains, construction equipment, lawn mower). |
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Naturally occurring sources: Volcanoes, wildfires, wind-
blown dust from agricultural fields.
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