State-of-art of the legislation on odour emissions with a focus on the Italian studies

Gaetano Settimo ¹, Pasquale Avino ²

⁰Department of Environment and Health, Italian National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, IT-00161, Rome, Italy.

Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987) +

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February 9, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This review examines European legislation for odour pollution control, detailing methods for measuring and managing environmental odours. It emphasizes that odour assessment focuses on existence, not quality, ensuring environmental protection.

Area Of Science

Environmental Science
Chemical Engineering
Regulatory Affairs

Background

Odour pollution stems from volatile and persistent chemical compounds prevalent in daily life.
European directives mandate specific technical standards for managing odour pollution limits.
Current odour assessment methods vary significantly across European regions.

Purpose Of The Study

To review the current state of European legislation concerning odour pollution determination and management.
To analyze and compare different methodologies for odour measurement and characterization.
To provide an in-depth review of the Italian legislative landscape and related studies on odour pollution.

Main Methods

Review of European directives and technical standards for odour assessment.
Analysis of chemical and olfactometric approaches for odour measurement.
Examination of integrated evaluation methods for odour characterization.
Discussion of sensor technologies like multigas and electronic sensors for odour monitoring.

Main Results

European legislation provides a framework for odour pollution management, requiring adherence to technical standards.
Diverse methodologies exist for odour determination, including chemical analyses and olfactometry, with regional variations.
Odour assessment is objective, focusing on presence rather than perceived quality, to ensure environmental protection.

Conclusions

Standardized approaches and clear legislative frameworks are crucial for effective odour pollution management across Europe.
Technological advancements in odour monitoring offer potential for more accurate and consistent assessment.
A comprehensive understanding of national contexts, such as Italy's, is vital for refining and implementing European odour regulations.

Keywords:

European Union GC-MS Legislation Odour emissions Olfactometry Sensors VOCs Waste e-nose