Odour Monitoring Ireland services

The odour concentration of a gaseous sample is determined by presentation to a trained panel in varying dilutions. The odour concentration is expressed in multiples of European Odour Units (OUE). This analysis technique provides directly comparable data for different odour types, and can be used for input into dispersion models to determine odour impact in terms of annoyance and abatement efficiency assessments.

Atmospheric dispersion modeling is the mathematical simulation of how air pollutants disperse in the ambient atmosphere. It is performed with computer programs that solve the mathematical equations and algorithms which simulate the pollutant dispersion. The dispersion models are used to estimate or to predict the downwind concentration of air pollutants emitted from sources such as industrial plants and vehicular traffic. The models are typically employed to determine whether existing or proposed new industrial facilities are or will be in compliance with the regulatory guidelines. The models also serve to assist in the development of effective control strategies to reduce emissions of harmful air pollutants to acceptable levels.

Wind movement in the atmosphere carries away odorous gases emitted from a source. Odour annoyance occurs when a person exposed to an odour perceives the odour as unwanted. Significant odour annoyance may trigger a complaint to a regulatory authority.

Surface emissions surveying Landfill surface emissions surveys with our new ODOURHOG with integrated GPS system. This allows us to scan the landfill cap continuously and create surface emissions contour maps using special software. This can be used by the landfill manager to assess the existing emissions of landfill gas from the cap, identify problem area requiring further remediation and subsequently allow the comparison to ascertain the effectiveness of implemented mitigation strategies.

A bioaerosol is a biological aerosol. These particles are very small and range in size from less than one micrometer (0.00004`) to one hundred micrometers (0.004`). Bioaerosols react to air currents and move quickly or slowly depending on the environment. Bioaerosols are impacted by gravity but due to their size air density and air currents play a large role in their movement. Air often contains tiny organisms such as fungi, bacteria, mycotoxins and viruses. None of these organisms live in the air but they are often attached to other small particles such as dried residues from water droplets, dust, soil or skin flakes. Groups of the small organisms clump up and enhance survival while airborn. Due to evaporation of water, bacterial cells usually die when they become airborn but under high humidity conditions bioaerosol levels are increased. Fungal cells such as spores, molds and yeast can be active at low humidity levels and high or low temperatures.

Bergerhoff Dust Monitoring. The Bergerhoff dust method is carried out on most waste sites, landfill sites and building sites. It is a way of measuring airbourne dustfall occurring from manmade activities that may attribute to environmental adverse effects. The Bergerhoff method is accepted by the EPA and Local Authorities as part of waste or IPPC licences. The method works by leaving out onsite dust jars for a period. The jars are analysed by means of evaporation and gravimetry, a result is obtained.

Dust is generated by a wide range of manufacturing, domestic and industrial activities. Ambient dust in the workplace from processes carried out can often times be excessively high. Employees operating in such areas can experience health effects such as lung capacity deterioration and other such ailments. For this reason dust concentrations should be monitored to ensure either they are in compliance with maximum dust concentrations recommended by the HSA, or that in areas of high dust concentrations personnel face masks are supplied to the employees.

The effects of inhaling particulate matter has been widely studied in humans and animals and include asthma, lung cancer, cardiovascular issues, and premature death. The size of the particle is a main determinant of where in the respiratory tract the particle will come to rest when inhaled. Larger particles are generally filtered in the nose and throat and do not cause problems, but particulate matter smaller than about 10 micrometres, referred to as PM10, can settle in the bronchi and lungs and cause health problems. The 10 micrometer size does not represent a strict boundary between respirable and non-respirable particles, but has been agreed upon for monitoring of airborne particulate matter by most regulatory agencies.

Hydrogen sulfide (or hydrogen sulphide) is the chemical compound with the formula H2S. This colorless, toxic and flammable gas is responsible for the foul odour of rotten eggs and flatulence. It often results from the bacterial break down of organic matter in the absence of oxygen, such as in swamps and sewers (anaerobic digestion). It also occurs in volcanic gases, natural gas and some well waters. The odour of H2S is commonly misattributed to elemental sulfur, which is in fact odorless.