Assessment of the Odour Quality of the Air Surrounding a Landfill Site: A Case Study

Łukasz Szałata,Anna Cierniak-Emerych,Szymon Dziuba,Peter Drábik,Ľubica Knošková,Jerzy Zwoździak,Milan Majerník,Malgorzata A Jarossová

doi:10.3390/su13041713

Abstract

In the present study, the authors assessed the odour quality of the air in the vicinity of a landfill site using a case study of a waste management plant that processes non-hazardous and inert waste as an example. An analysis of the impact of the facility under study on the odour quality of the air was performed based on a mathematical modelling system used to, among other things, assess the impact of investments in air quality both in Poland and worldwide. The most important element of the system is the puff dispersion model CALPUFF. In conclusion, the analysis of the plant’s odour impact clearly indicates a significant impact on the air quality in the studied area. The range of the impact may even reach up to 1.5 km; in the nearest locality, the odour perceptibility threshold may be exceeded for more than 3% of the hours in a year. However, taking into account the fact that the landfill is located within an agricultural area, the incidental odour impact in this area may also be associated with periods of intensive fertilization and a roadside ditch collecting municipal sewage from roadside households.

Highlights

Introduction published maps and institutional affilThe research problems addressed in the present study, which concerns air quality assessment and business entities’ impact—including that of the waste management sector—on their surrounding environments in terms of odour nuisance, are important and topical issues from the point of view of further shaping current economic, environmental, and social resources
A set of discrete receptors based on a 100grid m grid was used used for covering an an areaarea withwith a radius of 2.5of km from landfill site was for the thecalculations, calculations, covering a radius
Regarding the issue addressed in this study, it is important to clarify and define relRegarding the issue addressed in this study, it is important to clarify and define evant influencing elements at the stage of planning and operation due to the potential relevant influencing elements at the stage of planning and operation due to the potential effect on environmental, property, and community values

Summary

Introduction

Introduction published maps and institutional affilThe research problems addressed in the present study, which concerns air quality assessment and business entities’ impact—including that of the waste management sector—on their surrounding environments in terms of odour nuisance, are important and topical issues from the point of view of further shaping current economic, environmental, and social resources. The research problems addressed in the present study, which concerns air quality assessment and business entities’ impact—including that of the waste management sector—. The odours emitted from landfills may cause temporary symptoms, such as nausea and headaches. People with respiratory ailments (e.g., asthma) can be especially sensitive to the odorous compounds emitted from landfills [1]. Regulatory efforts have been directed towards the characterisation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) originating from solid waste facilities due to their impacts on air quality and human health (i.e., psychological stress, irritation, toxic reactions) [2,3]. Among the existing types of industrial installations that can cause odour nuisances, landfills represent one of the most common sources of odour emissions and complaints [4].

Methods

Results

Conclusion