Since several decades it is known that odors resulting directly or indirectly from human activities may cause adverse effects on citizens, and are recently being considered as atmospheric contaminants. Odors are, among atmospheric pollutants, the major cause of population's complaints to local authorities. Indeed, several conventional pollutants are generally not perceived by population, even if they might be harmful for human health, especially if normal exposure limit concentrations are exceeded. On the contrary, some odors are perceived far below normal exposure limit concentrations, due to the presence of odorous compounds having extremely low odor detection threshold concentration. For these reasons, odors are nowadays subject to control and regulation in many countries.
The need to regulate odor impacts entails the requirement of specific methods for odor measurement. Regardless of the measurement technique adopted (dynamic olfactometry, chemical analysis or electronic nose), the quality of the results obtained is heavily dependent on appropriate sampling, which is one of the main issues relating to odor characterization and measurement.
This event focuses on recent regulatory approaches for the evaluation of odour exposure, on sampling strategies and equipment, and on the main techniques for odor measurement and odor impact assessment (e.g., chemical analyses, dynamic olfactometry, electronic noses, dispersion modeling, etc.). Moreover, another important topic concerns the possibility of direct odour measurement in the field for direct odour exposure assessment or dispersion modeling validation purposes.
The conference should represent a possibility for the members of the increasing community of people involved in odour assessment and control to meet, exchange views, and achieve a better understanding of the specific aspects relevant to odour problems.

in collaboration with

Olfactometric Laboratory - Politecnico di Milano

sponsor by