Air Quality - Odor What are odors called and how are they
measured? An odorant is a specific gas, such as ammonia or
hydrogen sulfide, which can contribute to the creation of odors
perceived by humans. Odors are complex mixtures of odorants, of
which over 160 different types have been identified in swine
manure alone. An odorant is not considered an odor until it is
perceived by humans. Olfactometry is the use of the human sense
of smell to characterize odors. The human nose can detect over
10,000 different odors. What are some of the challenges with
managing odors? Individual gas concentrations are not
necessarily correlated with “odor”. Nuisance odors are often
transient and difficult to measure objectively. To establish
objective thresholds, very strict protocol is needed to conduct
the measurements. What is Pennsylvania’s Odor Management
Program? The Commonwealth’s Odor Management Program is a
planning approach that addresses the potential impacts of odors,
and then implements management strategies or tec