Abstract
A study was performed to confirm the reliability of in-field olfactometer in conjunction with odor characteristic in recognizing odor exposure to the community and identifying likely odor source. Odor samples were obtained from four of the mill’s open effluent treatment ponds, and analysed in the laboratory for comparison with the odor values recorded at 18 receptor locations up to 4 km away from the mill. It was found that the palm oil millemitted ‘rotten-egg’ odor with concentrations between 6,100 – 15,000 OU/m3, 5,000 – 12,000 OU/m3, 4,800 –8,700 OU/m3 and 4,100 – 15,000 OU/m3 from its acid, anaerobic, facultative and aerobic ponds, respectively. The same characteristic “palm oil mill effluent” smell were noticed 50 % of the assessment times at two locations, receptor locations 1 and 7, which were roughly 1.3 km north of the mill. Simultaneous characterisation of odor at source and the receptor along with the local wind profile had helped to identify the odor issue from the palm oil mill to the community. This approach is proposed as a preliminary assessment tool for localities where resources and expertise in odor assessment is limited.
