Exploring the link between sulphur-containing compounds and noxious odours at waste management facilities: implications for odour monitoring and mitigation strategies

Abstract

With this study we challenge the widely held assumption that the concentration of sulphur-containing compounds in ambient air is a good indicator of noxious odours. To do that, we analysed an extensive set of olfactometric data and data obtained from the concentration measurements of hydrogen sulphide and trace sulphur compounds (TSCs) conducted near a waste management facility in Croatia in 2021. The results show that variation in odour nuisance can be explained only by hydrogen sulphide and methyl mercaptan content in ambient air, for which we found a statistically significant correlation, but not for TSCs, including ethyl mercaptan, methyl sulphide, dimethyl sulphide, and dimethyl disulphide. In other words, only hydrogen and methyl mercaptan can be used as a proxy for measuring noxious odours. As for other TSCs, olfactometric analyses of noxious odours should follow the limits set by the Integrated Pollution and Prevention Control (IPPC) permits when waste management facilities are concerned.