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ARS Home » Plains Area » Bushland, Texas » Conservation and Production Research Laboratory » Livestock Nutrient Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #420448
Research Project: Strategies to Manage Feed Nutrients, Reduce Gas Emissions, and Promote Soil Health for Beef and Dairy Cattle Production Systems of the Southern Great Plains

Location: Livestock Nutrient Management Research

Title: Update on the development of a new ASTM Standard for environmental odor assessment

Author
item Koziel, Jacek
item WRIGHT, DONALD - Don Wright & Associates

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/20/2024
Publication Date: 4/24/2025
Citation: Koziel, J.A., Wright, D.W. 2025. Update on the development of a new ASTM Standard for environmental odor assessment [abstract]. Air and Waste Management Association. Paper No. ME-137.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Where shown to exist, the ‘character-defining’ aspect of perceived odor and its association with a specific odorous chemical, is of primary importance with regard to environmental odor impact. The authors propose that an analytical approach to odor problem-solving, through odorant prioritization by GC-Olfactometry (GC-O) is one of the most effective tools for focusing and expediting the development of effective odor mitigation and monitoring strategies. Simply stated, if upon odor assessment of an environment, the odor-character of an individual chemical is easily recognizable above that of the combined odorant mixture in which it is contained, that individual odorant has to be considered of greatest importance relative to environmental odor impact. The analytical, odorant prioritization approach to odor problem solving is the basis for ongoing efforts within ASTM D-22.05 (Air Quality / Indoor Air) to develop a new Standard Practice: Environmental Odor Assessment Using Odorant Prioritization with Solid Phase Microextraction (SPME) Air Sampling, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Olfactometry (GC-MS-O) Analysis and Synthetic Odor-Matching Validation. This Practice is based upon the mapping of the odor gradients which naturally develop in relation to an environmental odor source, whether that source reflects an ambient or indoor environment. With respect to outdoor environments the authors have previously described development of these odor gradients as a ‘rolling unmasking effect’ (RUE). In either case prioritization is based upon defining those odorants that reflect the greatest recognizable, outward reach, with respect to the odor point-source. The authors will present a status update regarding efforts, within the WK72782 Workgroup, to develop this new Practice. The authors will also present an overview summary of the proposed Practice, along with case-study examples of its application in real-world, environmental odor investigations. Among the case-studies referenced will be ‘skunky’ cannabis grow operations and warehouse cross-contamination, high-density CAFOs, a municipal landfill and natural odor sources.