Abstract
There are many methodologies for assessing odour impact, such as dynamic olfactometry coupled with dispersion models, field inspections, Instrumental Odour Monitoring Systems and many others. However, none of these techniques can directly link this odour impact to the annoyance caused.
Traditionally, odour impact assessment has been carried out using psychometry, which focuses on the theory and technique of psychological measurement used for several decades in the odour field. Nowadays, it is possible to assess odour impact using more advanced psychometric tools based on mobile applications that record an odour observation's exact time/ location.
The International Environmental Association of Odour Managers (AMIGO) and other consultants, NGOs, odour-emitting activities and public administrations developed and published the first standard on mapping odour annoyance using advanced psychometry (UNE 77270) in September 2023.
This standard is the first one, to our knowledge, that deals with using Citizen Science to take a snapshot of the odour reality in a community. There are several tens of projects around the world on this topic, but until now, no methodology has been developed to allow the unification of criteria when evaluating odour annoyance.
