Comparison Method Of Odour Impact Evaluation Using Calpuff Dispersion Modelling And On-Site Odour Monitoring

Until now, the suitable types of odour assessment technology in Malaysia still cannot be found and at the same time, there is no odour regulation concerning the specific odour parameter stated in the Environmental Quality Act 1974. The assessment of odour pollution is still regarded as a difficult task but the development of odour pollution assessment and proper regulatory tools are urgently needed. This paper aim to compare two methods for determining odour concentration which are field inspection and atmospheric dispersion model (CALPUFF). This research goal was to compare both method estimation of odour in quantitatively and qualitatively. The comparison will highlight the strength and weakness of both methods. CALPUFF is an easy method in knowing the whole picture of the dispersion but it is still new in Malaysia, while field inspection takes into account the role of human perception but it need a lot of work to obtain the whole picture of the dispersion. Palm oil mill was chosen as the study site since palm oil mill effluent (POME) release high contribution in emitted unpleasant odour [1]. 18 possible receptors points were chosen which include residential area, institution and also public area. It was found that, both methods show that the odour concentration is higher at the receptor near the source but different in odour concentration values. Both methods have their own advantage and disadvantages and it can be conclude that, both of it provide reasonable estimation of odour nuisance but it also depends on the odour case situation such as the availability of data and the number of odour source where sometimes one of the method is the proper method to be use at that time.