Evaluation of the Odor Threshold Concentration Levels of the Pollutants Emitted By Stationary Sources of One of the Ukrainian Industrial Facilities

Abstract

PP-31-021 Background/Aims: The issue of the nature and spatial dispersion of the smells that come from the industrial and social facilities is one of the dominant directions in the ambient air pollution studies. The prolonged population exposure to air pollutants leads to the decrease in quality of life. The research was aimed at the assessment of human health risks related to the exposure of the population to odors emitted by Ukrainian facility that develops the supple polymer food wrap. Methods: Mathematical modeling is one of the most effective and rational way to evaluate the odor effect formed by industrial facilities. The following technical approaches were applied for the purpose of evaluation of the odor threshold concentrations: Data preparation algorithm for the calculation of averaged concentrations of pollutants; Software package ISC-AERMOD View v.6.4.0 that helps to evaluate averaged (hourly, daily, monthly, and annual) concentrations, to build models of the spatial pollutants dispersion for hourly periods (1 minute–1 hour), and to determine the peaks of the concentration during 1-hour averaging period. Results: Thirteen odorous substances were prioritized. Odor perception threshold concentration levels were determined for 9 of the studied pollutants, namely, formaldehyde, propyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, ethanol, ethyl acetate, cyclohexanol, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and kerosene. Concentration levels were calculated in 5 receptor points for each of the studied pollutants and compared with the meanings of odor perception thresholds levels. The odor dispersion area over the nearby located to the facility territory was identified. Conclusion: The research showed that concentrations of the 9 prioritized pollutants over studied area do not exceed the recommended norms of the odor threshold sensitivity. Risk levels formed by these substances do not exceed the levels of acceptable risk and do not pose a substantial hazard for the health of the exposed population.