Measurement and Regulation of Odors in the USA

Measurement and Regulation of Odors in the USA

Thomas Mahin
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
205a Lowell Street
Wilmington, Massachusetts 01887 USA

Keywords
Regulations, United States, measurement

Abstract
This paper will present highlights of the current approaches used in the USA relative to
odor regulations and guidelines. The issue of odor standardization has progressed
significantly during the last few years. In the USA, the Air & Waste Management
Association’s EE-6 Odor Committee has forwarded its guidelines to the American
Society of Testing Materials (ASTM) as a suggested replacement for ASTM Method
E679-91. Among other things, the guidelines recommend a minimum flow rate of 3
liters per minute (lpm) for olfactometers. However a large number of odor laboratories
in the USA have adopted the European Standard approach of a 20 lpm flow rate. The
author asks whether current olfactometry based odor regulatory standards in the USA
standards will now be inconsistent with the higher D/T (OU) levels that may be
associated with the higher flow rates used as part of the European Standard
approach?

1. Introduction
Odors are increasingly the cause of complaints to environmental regulatory agencies
in the USA. One reason for this increase is the fact that more homes are being built
near waste processing facilities such as wastewater treatment plants and landfills due
to a lack of buildable land. Also as home prices have risen significantly in recent
years, many residents have become less tolerant to even occasional odors or other
nuisance conditions that are perceived to have an impact on property values. In
addition, in agricultural areas of the USA there has been a dramatic increase in
corporate large-scale confined animal feeding operations. Because most of these
animal facilities do not really have significant odor treatment systems in place, there
has been a significant increase in complaints and regulations relative to animal feeding
operations in the USA.

2. Types of Odor Regulatory Approaches Used in the USA

There are generally a number of different approaches that are commonly used in the
USA to regulate odors.

(1) The use of ambient air limits for individual compounds such as hydrogen sulfide as
used in the state of Minnesota (see Table 1 below). The existence of so many
different odorous compounds associated with WWTPs and particularly most

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livestock operations creates serious potential problems when using individual

compounds as the basis for assessing odors. In addition, detection and odor
annoyance thresholds cited in the literature and in regulations vary widely for
compounds such as hydrogen sulfide.

Table 1. Examples of Ambient Standards for Odor Causing Compounds

(all agencies listed are state agencies unless otherwise noted) from Mahin, 2001 (1)

Location Compound Ambient Odor Standard

California Hydrogen sulfide 30 ppbv* (1-hour average)
Connecticut Hydrogen sulfide 6.3 ug/m3
Methyl mercaptan 2.2 ug/m3
Idaho Hydrogen sulfide 10 ppbv (24 hour average)
30 ppbv (30 min. average)
Minnesota Hydrogen sulfide 30 ppbv (30 minute average)**
50 ppbv (30 minute average)***
Nebraska Total reduced sulfur 100 ppb (30 minute average)
New Mexico Hydrogen sulfide 10 ppbv (1 hour avg.) or 30 - 100 ppbv (30
minute avg.)
New York State Hydrogen sulfide 10 ppbv (14 ug/m3) 1-hour average
New York City Hydrogen sulfide 1 ppbv (for wastewater plants)
North Dakota Hydrogen sulfide 50 ppbv (instantaneous, two readings 15
min. apart)
Pennsylvania Hydrogen sulfide 100 ppbv (1 hour average)
5 ppbv (24 hour average)
Texas Hydrogen sulfide 80 ppbv (30 minute avg.) -
residential/commercial & 120 ppbv -
industrial, vacant or range lands
* - parts per billion by volume
** - not to be exceeded more than 2 days in a 5-day period
*** - not to be exceeded more than 2 times per year

(2) General regulatory language that prohibits off-site nuisance or annoyance

conditions as determined by field inspectors in response to complaints from the
public. Some agencies have implemented procedures whereby inspectors rate the
intensity of the odor in the field, based on an intensity scale. Six point scales are
sometimes used with 1 = very weak, 2 = weak, 3 = distinct, 4 = strong, 5 = very
strong and 6 = extremely strong. The advantage to this approach is its simplicity
and the fact that it is not a theoretical value predicted by a model. One
disadvantage for both this approach and the hydrogen sulfide hand-held meter
approach is that odor nuisance conditions occur much more frequently in the
evening and early morning when regulatory staff are usually not working.
(3) Off-site limits based on levels predicted by dispersion modeling and using the
dynamic olfactometry approach with the criteria reported as odor units (OU),

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OU/m3 or dilutions/threshold (D/T). The terms D/T, OU/m3 and OU will be used
interchangeably in this paper since they all represent the same concept (see
Table 2 below).
(4) Best available control technology (BACT) or similar approaches that specify
required levels of odor treatment controls for new or upgraded large facilities.
(5) The American Society of Agricultural Engineering (ASAE) document Engineering
Practice 379.1 “Control of Manure Odors” recommends setbacks from livestock
facilities of 0.4 to 0.8 km for neighboring residences and 1.6 km to residential
development (2).

Table 2 Examples of OU/m3 (D/T) Limits Used from Mahin (1)

Location Off-site standard or Averaging times
guideline
Allegheny County Wastewater 4 D/T (design goal) 2-minutes
Treatment Plant (WWTP)
San Francisco Bay Area Air 5 D/T Applied after at least 10
Quality District complaints within 90-days
State of Colorado 7 D/T (Scentometer)
State of Connecticut 7 D/T
State of Massachusetts 5 D/T*
State of New Jersey 5 D/T ** 5-minutes or less
State of North Dakota 2 D/T (Scentometer)
State of Oregon 1 to 2 D/T 15-minutes
City of Oakland, CA 50 D/T 3-minute
City of San Diego WWTP 5 D/T 5-minutes
City of Seattle WWTP 5 D/T 5-minutes
* draft policy and guidance for composting facilities
** for biosolids/sludge handling and treatment facilities

The European Committee for Standardization or CEN has developed a standard

method for odor laboratory measurement using olfactometry. The standard, which is to
be called “Air Quality – Determination of Odour Concentration by Dynamic
Olfactometry” will be referred to in this paper as the “European Standard” (3). In the
USA, several universities and WWTP districts follow the European standard’s basic
tenets including: Duke University, Iowa State University, the University of Minnesota,
Purdue University, the Los Angeles County Sanitation District and the Minnesota
Metropolitan Council (4).

A study conducted for the California Air Resources Board (USA) included the review of
six published studies that related to recognizability, unpleasantness and annoyance
associated with a variety of unpleasant odors. The analysis concluded that for
unpleasant odors the threshold of annoyance is at approximately five times the
threshold of detection (5). California's South Coast Air Quality Management District's
states that at 5 D/T (OU/m3) people become consciously aware of the presence of an

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odor and that at 5 to 10 D/T odors are strong enough to evoke registered complaints
(6)(7). It should be pointed out that there are questions as to whether these
assumptions are still valid given the apparent increased sensitivity of the European
Standard laboratory methods compared to ASTM Method E 679-91 (8). Given the
background OU/m3 levels commonly reported and because of the residual odor
associated with Tedlar and similar bags, the olfactometric approach should not be
used for ambient air odor analysis but rather for impact predictions using dispersion
modeling.

3. Air & Waste Management Association Guidelines for Odor Sampling and
Measurement
A subcommittee of the EE-6 Odor Committee of the Air and Waste Management
Association (A&WMA) was formed to develop a set of guidelines or recommended
practices for the standardization of odor sampling procedures and odor measurement
techniques by dynamic dilution olfactometry. The A&WMA EE-6 Subcommittee on the
Standardization of Odor Measurement prepared a document titled Guidelines for Odor
Sampling and Measurement by Dynamic Dilution Olfactometry August 23, 2002 (9).
The EE-6 Odor Committee has submitted the Guidelines to the ASTM as a more
detailed odor testing replacement method for the current ASTM method E679-91
(Standard Practice for Determination of Odor and Taste Thresholds by a Forced-
Choice Ascending Concentration Series Methods of Limits) (8).

The method accepts the use of forced choice or non-forced choice sample
presentation method in an ascending concentration triangular method (one diluted
odor sample and two blanks per presentation) or a binary method (one diluted odor
sample and one blank per presentation). To reduce the variability obtained, the
guidelines recommend that panelists also indicate their basis for the choice: pure
guess, possible difference or recognize the presence of an odor.

The guidelines recommend that the flow rates of the olfactometer should be calibrated
regularly using a primary volume-measuring device (i.e. soap bubble flow meter). To
obtain consistent and accurate values, the flow rates of both the dilution (odor-free) air
and the sample flows should be measured at all delivery settings several times and
averaged to ensure stability.

The guidelines state that screening for detection of n-butanol and at least one other
odorant should be conducted using aqueous solutions. Initially, a sub-threshold
concentration of the selected odorant in distilled water is compared to two bottles
containing only distilled, odor-free (triangular presentation) water. The candidate is
asked to pick the bottle containing the odorant. A series of similar triangular
presentations are made in an ascending series with the odorant concentrations
doubling at each step.

The second screening procedure involves familiarization of the potential candidates

with the olfactometric procedures and determines each individual’s detection threshold

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for: a standardized concentration on n- butanol and an odor sample or prepared

standard representative of the specific project.

The screening samples should be run in triplicate. To be accepted as a panelist, the

geometric mean of the individual detection thresholds should be within 0.5 and 2 times
the accepted reference value for the reference material used. After all panelists have
evaluated a series of dilutions for the test sample, individual panelists' best estimate
thresholds (BET) are determined. The BET for a panelist is the geometric mean of
that dilution level (or equivalent concentration) at which the first point (highest dilution
level) of a consistently correct series of (+) responses (with some degree of certainty)
and the dilution level prior to this point. All responses indicated by the panelists as
being guesses are disregarded.

3.1 Olfactometer Flow Rates

The guidelines state that the airflow rate from the olfactometer sniff ports must be
regulated at a minimum of 3 liters per minute (lpm) to account for the variability of
individual breathing/sniffing volumes and techniques during olfactory evaluations. The
resultant face velocity at the cup face should be between 1 -10 cm/sec.

In the effort to reach international consensus on the standardization of odor

measurement techniques, flow rate has probably been the most controversial issues
(10). An earlier draft version of the EE-6 Odor Committee guidelines recommended a
flow rate of 8 lpm (11). The final version includes a minimum flow rate but no
maximum so that the 20 lpm flow rate used in the European Standard approach would
still be consistent with the guidelines.

The guidelines also state that smelling chambers should be a cylindrical shape or an
ergonomically shaped nasal mask and must be made out of a non-reactive, odor-free
material (glass or Teflon). The cup design must allow for an even flow profile at the
face of the cup. The diameter of the chambers must be between 5 and 10 cm to allow
full insertion of the panelists' nose into the chamber and result in a face velocity that is
barely perceptible by the panelists. Note: high flow rates and high face velocities may
result in notable discomfort of the panelists.

3.2 Odor Sample Collection

The guidelines state that odor samples should be collected using a sampling line made
of an odor-free, chemically inert and non-reactive material (i.e. Teflon or similar). The
samples should be collected into gas sampling bags made of Tedlar. This material has
been specified because it is the best at maintaining sample integrity and has the
lowest background odor. New bags should be purged with odor-free air prior to use to
ensure that there is no contamination due to manufacturing “bag” odor. This is
especially critical with the collection of low level or ambient odor samples.
Re-use of sampling bags may be possible with low odor (i.e. less than 50 D/T)
samples. Pre-used bags should be purged continuously with odor-free air for a
minimum of 24 hours and tested to ensure that they are acceptable prior to re-use.

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The sample bag must be half filled at least once and emptied prior to collecting the
final sample in order to precondition the sampling line and the interior walls of the
sampling bag. The guidelines state that if pre-dilution of the sample is necessary due
to an excessively high odor level, high temperature, or high humidity of the sample gas,
pre-conditioning of the sample bag with the diluted sample is also required.

The sampling train should allow for transfer of the gas through the sampling line
directly into the sample bag without going through any potential sources of
contamination such as rotameters, pumps etc. The recommended method for sample
collection is the “evacuated drum” or “sampling lung” where the sample bag is placed
within a rigid, leak-proof container. The air inside the container is evacuated using a
pump, which causes the bag to fill with sample at a rate equal to the container
evacuation rate. Pre-dilution of the sample may be required to prevent condensation
in the bag if the sample gas contains a significant amount of moisture

4. Conclusions
• The issue of odor standardization has progressed significant during the last few
years. The CEN European Standard has become the official olfactometry odor
analysis approach for a number of countries. In the USA, the A&WMA EE-6 Odor
Committee has forwarded its guidelines to the American Society of Testing Materials
(ASTM) as a suggested replacement for ASTM Method E679-91. In addition, an
interlaboratory comparison of seven olfactometry laboratories was conducted in
Japan in late 2000 (12).
• The A&WMA guidelines are similar to the European Standard but they do allow quite
a bit of flexibility in what olfactometer flow rates cab be used. This could potentially
be a problem when attempting to compare data and results from different
olfactometry laboratories.
• With the A&WMA guidelines now final, an important issue needs to be analyzed in
the future. Current OU/m3 (D/T) odor regulatory standards in the USA have
traditionally been based on lower olfactometry flow rates used in the past. Will these
regulatory standards now be inconsistent with what are believed by some to be the
higher D/T (OU) levels associated with the higher olfactometric flow rates associated
with the European Standard? There appears to be a need for studies in the future
that would compare results from analysis of odor samples using varying olfactometry
flow rates.

References
1) Mahin, T.D., “Comparison of Different Approaches Used to Regulate Odors Around the World”,
Water Science and Technology, Vol 44 No 9 pp 87-102
2) Heber, A.J. (1997) Setbacks for sufficient swine odor dispersion and dilution. Livestock
Symposium, http://pasture.ecn.purdue.edu/~heber/setba.htm
3) CEN, prEN 13725 Air Quality – Determination of Odour Concentration by Dynamic Olfactometry
4) Mahin, T.D., Pope, R. and McGinley, M., When is a smell a nuisance? (2000) Water
Environment & Technology, 12 (5) pp. 49-53.
5) Amoore, J.E., A matching-standards method for evaluating odor annoyance. (1991).In:

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Proceedings of Recent Developments and Current Practices in Odor Regulations, Controls and
Technology. Air& Waste Management Association Specialty Conference.
6) Amoore, J.E., The Perception of Hydrogen Sulfide odor in Relation to Setting an Ambient
Standard, (1985), Prepared for the California Air Resources Board
7) South Coast Air Quality Management District (1993). California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) Air Quality Handbook. .
8) ASTM, Standard Practice for Determination of Odor and Taste Thresholds by a Forced-Choice
Ascending Concentration Series Method of Limits, E 679-91. Annual Book of Standards,
American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, PA.
9) AWMA EE-6 Subcommittee on the Standardization of Odor Measurement, Guidelines for Odor
Sampling and Measurement by Dynamic Dilution Olfactometry, August 23, 2002
10) O’Brien, M.A., Duffee, R., and Ostojic, N., Effect of Sample Flow Rate in the Determination of
Odor Thresholds, (1995), Proceedings of the Indoor and Environmental Air Specialty
Conference, Bloomington, MN, Air and Waste Management Association.
11) O’Brien, M.A., Standardization of Odor Measurement Techniques, (1994), Proceedings of the
87th Annual Meeting of the Air and Waste Management Association.
12) Higuchi, T., Masuda, J. and Hayano, A., Establishment of Quality Control Framework for
Olfactometry in Japan (2002), Proceedings of the WEF Odors and Toxic Emissions 2002
Specialty Conference.

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