ARS | Publication request: Identifying Key Odors Offsite From Animal Feeding Operation

Submitted to: American Chemical Society National Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: April 17, 2009
Publication Date: August 20, 2009
Citation: Trabue, S.L., Mcconnell, L.L., Maghirang, R., Sauer, T.J. 2009. Identifying Key Odors Offsite From Animal Feeding Operation [abstract]. American Chemical Society Abstracts. American Chemical Society 238th National Meeting, August 16-20, 2009, Washington, D.C. Abstract No. AGR182.

Technical Abstract: Odors from animal feeding operations are some of the most significant emissions at the local level. Current methods used to measure agricultural odor are bias and inadequate. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of 2 different techniques to identify key odorants. The first technique ranks odorants by odor activity value (OAV, ratio of an odorous compound's concentration in air to its odor threshold level). The second technique, GC-O (olfactometry), ranks odorants based on response of human panelists. Air samples were collected on sorbent tubes and thermally desorbed for GC-MSD analysis. Samples were collected directly from source site (cattle feedlot and swine facility), 0.25 miles, and over 1-2 miles downwind from the facility. Key odorants detected at the source included sulfide compounds, oxazoles, volatile fatty acids, phenolic compounds, and indole compounds; while further downwind, odors were mainly associated with indole compounds and some phenol compounds.