The Odour Problem at Rutherford, NSW, Australia.

This paper reports on the results of an odour sources and emissions investigation project at the Rutherford Industrial Estate (RIE), located in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. The project is referred to as the 'Rutherford Odour Investigation Project'. Odours emitted from the estate have been a source of complaints from the surrounding community for many years. In December 2011, a community consultation committee, the Rutherford Air Quality Liaison Committee (RAQLC), was established by the NSW Minister for the Environment to oversee this project, with secretarial support provided by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA). The project occurred in four stages: an overview of odour issues and complaints along with suggested directions for detailed analysis; a detailed assessment of odour emissions from the eight major sources in the R IE ; a modelling study showing the odour dispersion from the industries in comparison to the spatial distribution of complaints; and an olfactometry study verifying the major odours of residential concern. Three major odours and sources were identified: petroleum/burnt oil/petrol from an asphalt plant; canola/grainy/gassy from a vegetable oil processor; and burnt plastic/paint/ kerosene from a textile plant. The results provided information for priority action by the industries and the NSW EPA to reduce or eliminate these odours. The RAQLC is a good example of a community consultation committee with decision-making powers, working jointly with the NSW EPA to identify odour emissions and sources. All details are available at www.epa.nsw.gov.au/rutherfordcttee/index.htm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]