White Paper: Odor Control Systems

Air pollution is defined as the "presence in the atmosphere (or ambient air) of one or more contaminants or combinations thereof in such quantity and duration as may be injurious to human, plant, or animal life, property, or conduct of business". Air pollutants fall into the three main categories: gases, particulates, and odors. Of these pollutants, odor is probably the most complex.

The human nose, assisted by selected devices or prescribed procedures is the basic system for evaluating odors. Odor determinations are made by a panel of two (2)to fifteen(15) trained individuals subjected to given concentrations of odorous substances. The measurement of odors fall into two general categories: determining the odor threshold concentrations and establishing the type and intensity of the odors. Published odor threshold values (the concentration level below which the malodorous compound is no longer detectable by the human nose) vary widely, but can serve as a valuable indication of the destruction or removal required to achieve odor control.