Olfactometry & surveys

In-field olfactometry & reporting

Malodour emissions from waste processing are often a contentious and litigious issue. A complaint can be upheld on the subjective opinion of a single complainant, with no scientific basis beyond one person's sense of smell. Our in-field assessment and reporting service exists to rebalance that situation — introducing empirical data to quantify what is actually crossing your boundary.

Trained operatives carry out a full inspection of the processing facility and measure migrating emissions using the latest in-field olfactometry equipment (the Nasal Ranger, St. Croix), producing objective data to quantify any identified arisings.

What the service includes

A complete assessment, from site visit to hearing

  • An initial site visit to determine a suitable framework for assessment
  • A prescribed duration of olfactometry and level recording
  • A full written report — including the accrued data and general findings
  • Recommendations for abatement and future standard operating procedures (SOPs)
  • Attendance at meetings with relevant authorities or agencies, and representation of your organisation in public-liaison or planning presentations
  • Further real-time monitoring services through our close working relationship with Sentinel Online

This service has been used extensively in the UK, Ireland and West Africa, and has often proved imperative in the successful defence of a complaint or non-compliance.

When to call

When a survey earns its keep

Odour is the one emission still routinely judged without measurement. These are the situations where putting numbers on it changes the conversation:

  • A complaint has been made, and the site is being assessed on one person's account of what they smelled
  • A permit or planning condition requires odour monitoring, and you need data in a defensible format
  • A hearing, planning application or public liaison meeting is coming up
  • You've spent money on abatement and need to show whether it actually worked
  • Something nearby has changed — a new development, a new neighbour, a different prevailing wind
  • You suspect the odour being attributed to you is arriving from somewhere else entirely

Complaints, permit pressure, or just not sure? Get it measured.

An odour survey is often the fastest route to the right answer — and the cheapest.

Book a survey