DustScanAQ has experience with range of projects related to odour assessment for planning applications, permitting and regulatory purposes. Odour emissions have the potential to cause adverse impact on amenity. Individual perception to annoyance may vary greatly from person to person and if the odour is considered to be offensive, this could potentially lead to complaints. Local regulatory authorities are required to investigate such complaints and if an odour is proven to have occurred or to be taking place this may lead to a formal enforcement notice from the regulator. Typical examples of potentially odorous activities are food processing, restaurants, waste water/ sewage treatment works, intensive animal rearing, processing of animal remains, solid waste management (for example composting) and some industrial processes.
An understanding of odour emissions and atmospheric chemistry coupled with our detailed dispersion modelling expertise, allows us to assess various concerns arising from industrial and commercial installations. The likely impact of existing odour sources on nearby sensitive receptors can be assessed and advice given as appropriate.
We offer the following odour consultancy services:
- Odour impact assessment ranging from screening to detailed studies;
- Odour risk assessments;
- Odour dispersion modelling (ADMS and AERMOD);
- Odour monitoring and odour sensitivity testing;
- Nuisance investigations;
- Odour Management Plans (OMP);
- Design of mitigation measures; and
- Expert witness reporting.
DustScan’s approach to odour assessment is based on the up-to-date guidance available from national Government, the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) and the Environment Agency (EA) along with the industry best practice odour assessment guidance available from Institute of Air Quality Management (IAQM).
The assessment process typically involves a discussion with the client and other stakeholders in the proposal, such as the local regulator. A technical proposal is then prepared for the client detailing the project specific methods of approach, including addressing any regulatory concerns. Typically, odour assessments for planning or permitting involve:-
- Identifying relevant local, regional and national policies;
- Establishing baseline (including site specific complaints history);
- Identify sensitive receptors;
- Details of the process and potential odour sources;
- Details of existing control/ mitigation measures;
- Carrying out appropriate predictive and/or observational/empirical odour assessments that take into account the Source-Pathway-Receptor (S-P-R) concept;
- Site assessment with respect to suitability for residential land use ;
- Identify mitigation and control measures;
- Residual odour impacts and whether “significant” or “not significant”.