Abstract
The main challenge in the field of odor management is that the measured response is a perception. Nevertheless, it is necessary to quantify the problem in an objective manner using the best available approaches. While the field of odor science has evolved considerably in recent years, there are still different viewpoints and approaches as to proper methodologies for measuring and predicting environmental odors. Scientists, engineers, and regulators need a balanced and critical understanding of how to respect odor assessments and predictions based on currently existing methodologies and the uncertainties associated with them. Although multiple sources of uncertainty are associated with each step in the process of odor sampling – quantification – dispersion modeling, the need to rely on actual odor measurement with human panelists remains the preferred approach for many environmental regulators and emission sources operators. Considering the complexity of odor mixtures and odor perception, and the inability of chemical approaches to quantify odor problems, it is anticipated that odor-based regulations will continues to expend and technically sound standardization initiative will progress in the future. The best is to become fully aware of the limitations and uncertainties associated with currently available odor sampling, measurement, monitoring and dispersion modeling approaches and use best practices. This presentation is largely based on a recent critical review work of the authors covering over 200 references (Laor et al., 2014) and additional illustrations.
