Clarifying responsibility for odor by revising on-site odor measurement method

The National Institute of Environmental Research (President Geum Han-seung) under the Ministry of Environment announced that it will implement the revised ‘Odor Process Testing Standards’ starting November 13, adding a measurement method that excludes or minimizes the influence of surrounding odor emission sources on-site.

This revision of the odor process test standard was prepared to increase the objectivity of sampling and analysis methods when measuring odor. The odor process test standard stipulates matters to maintain accuracy and uniformity when measuring odor according to Article 6 of the ‘Act on Testing and Inspection in the Environmental Field, etc.’

This revision clarified the calculation formula by deleting redundant content in the concentration calculation process for a total of 7 items including △General Provisions (ES 09000.b), △Precautions for Quality Control (ES 09002.b), and △Air Dilution Sensory Method (ES 09301.d), and secured consistency with reference literature by unifying terminology and correcting wording errors.

In particular, in order to exclude the influence of the surroundings other than the target emission sources in areas where two or more odor emission sources are densely located, the reliability of the measurement was increased by adding a phrase to the air dilution sensory test standards that states that the sampler must investigate “the surroundings of the business site, including other odor sources,” and that the sampling point must be selected as “a point where the influence of other odor sources can be excluded.”

In addition, the National Institute of Environmental Research plans to provide specific guidelines to odor measurement practitioners in the first half of next year, including methods for selecting sampling points and application of simulation calculation (modeling) techniques for everyday odors, as a follow-up measure to the revision of the odor process test standards.

This odor process test standard was prepared by collecting opinions from all walks of life through administrative notices and reviews by experts and related organizations. The revised odor process test standard can be viewed by anyone on the National Institute of Environmental Research website (nier.go.kr) and the Ministry of Government Legislation National Law Information Center (law.go.kr) from November 13.

Yoo Myung-soo, head of the Climate and Atmosphere Research Division at the National Institute of Environmental Research, said, “This revision is an important measure to reduce confusion among practitioners and increase the accuracy of odor measurements,” and added, “We will not spare our practical support in the future.”

Editor. Hong Se-yeong