Proposition of odor impact criteria and strategy for Brazil

The atmospheric pollution caused by odor emissions has become a relevant issue, but complex to regulate. The impact of an odor emission source can generally be characterized by the combination of the FIDOL factors (F-Frequency of occurrence; I-Intensity (odor concentration); D-Duration of each odor episode; O-Offensiveness; L-Location of source and receptor) , which must be addressed in a robust legislation. Since the legislation in Brazil related to environmental odors is scarce and subjective, the objective of this research is to suggest quantitative criteria for odor impact assessment, considering the Brazilian reality, as well as an assessment protocol, which form the strategy for odor assessment. The methodology was based on the analysis of data from international and Brazilian literature. The odor impact criteria suggested are dependent on the methods used for impact assessment. The criteria include: for field olfactometry, Concentration (C) <7 D/T ((Dilution-to-Threshold ratio); for dispersion modeling: C < 8 ou (E) .m(-3) (residential/commercial areas) or C < 10 ou (E) .m(-3) (other areas); 98th percentile, peak-to-mean ratio =1.821); use of good practice and the best available technique for control in the source, and minimum distance for new fugitive sources > 500m from residential areas. The assessment protocol is formed by four flowcharts which instruct the stepby-step for environmental licensing of odor emission sources, and odor complaint validation. It is expected that the adoption of clear and quantitative criteria for evaluating odor impact will enable the advancement of the prevention and solution of conflicts, besides contributing to a more harmonious coexistence between community and odor-emitting sources.

Universidade Federal do Parana