Overview of Odors
Course Description
Odors are an important aspect of environmental quality and are often the first indicator of air pollution that the public notices. While some odors may be harmless, others can signal the presence of potentially hazardous substances. In environmental engineering practice, odor management is not only a technical challenge but also a social one, as even low concentrations of odorous compounds can lead to significant public concern. Understanding how odors are generated, perceived, and controlled is therefore essential for maintaining both environmental standards and community satisfaction.
What you'll learn in this course?
Understand the sources and types of odors in the environment.
Describe the chemical and biological composition of odorous compounds.
Explain odor perception mechanisms and human sensitivity.
Identify common odor measurement techniques and standards.
Evaluate odor control and mitigation strategies in air pollution management.
Interpret regulatory frameworks and community impact considerations.
Prerequisites
Basic understanding of environmental engineering, air pollution, or industrial operations
Familiarity with air-quality and environmental-monitoring terminology is helpful
Course Curriculum
- Introduction to Odors
- Definition of Odors
- Sources of Odors
- Classification of Odors
- Chemistry of Odorous Compounds
- Biological Odor Sources
- Odor Perception Mechanism
- Odor Threshold and Measurement
- Human Sensitivity to Odors
- Odor Measurement Techniques - Sensory Methods
- Odor Measurement Techniques - Instrumental Methods
- Odor Standards and Guidelines
- Factors Influencing Odor Dispersion
- Odor Control Principles
- Chemical Scrubbing
- Biological Treatment of Odors
- Adsorption Techniques
- Thermal Oxidation
- Ventilation and Dilution
- Regulatory Frameworks
- Community Impact of Odors
- Case Study: Landfill Odor Management
- Case Study: Wastewater Treatment Plant
- Emerging Odor Management Technologies
- Summary of Key Points
- Summary
- Overview of Odors (10 minutes)