Odour effects from a variety of sources are causing a growing number of public complaints
and concerns throughout the world. Whilst the community has always had to live with odours,
it appears that many people have been becoming more sensitive to the issue, and requiring
greater controls and mitigation measures on odour sources (1, 2). In Hong Kong two main
reasons include the maturing of the regulation in odour pollution control and the high
awareness of environmental quality, a feature of the Hong Kong environment which is of high
social and economic value. However quantitative assessment of odour effects remains a
significant problem. Despite world-wide efforts, it is still remarkably difficult to: (i) measure
odour, (ii) determine its transport in air, and (iii) predict any effects. This is particularly a
problem when trying to license a new development site which may produce odours. In Hong
Kong, landfill dumping has been a main approach for municipal solid wastes disposal and will
be continued in the near future. However, gaseous emissions from municipal waste cause
offensive odours and affect the neighbours around the landfill sites. Usually there are not
enough buffer zones between landfill sites and the nearest sensitive receptors due to a land restriction in Hong Kong. In this study, a comprehensive investigation about odour pollution
impact from a local landfill site was performed by applying olfactometry analysis with
dispersion modelling, odour patrol and also an electronic-nose (E-nose) technique. The final
assessment of the predicted odour concentrations was carried out with reference to the
criteria proposed by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) of Hong Kong
Government.