A dispersion modelling approach to determine the odour impact of intensive poultry production units in Ireland

Abstract

The use of atmospheric dispersion modelling has become more common for the determination of odour impacts from existing poultry production facilities and the assessment of setback distances for new facilities. Setback distances for broiler, layer and turkey units were determined using the atmospheric dispersion modelling software ISCST3 and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA, Ireland) recommended criterion (C 98,1-h ≤ 6.0 ou E m -3 ) and a new odour annoyance criterion (C 98,1-h ≤ 9.7 ou E m -3 ) developed in this study. For a typical size unit in Ireland; maximum setback distances of 660, 665 and 1035m were calculated for 40,000 broilers, 40,000 layers and 10,000 turkeys respectively at the current limit (C 98, 1-h ≤ 6.0 ou E m -3 ). However, if the suggested odour impact criterion (C 98, 1-h ≤ 9.7 ou E m -3 ) is implemented, the maximum setback distances decrease to 460, 500 and 785m for broilers, layers and turkeys, respectively. The meteorological data used in an odour impact assessment should be as representative as possible to the local climatic conditions surrounding the site.2

Development and validating procedure of a formula to calculate a minimum separation distance from piggeries and poultry facilities to sensitive receptors

“…Müller et al (2003) give values from 2 to 20 ou s -1 for ducks, hens and broilers converted to 1 fattening pig. Hayes et al (2006) give also values for poultry production units which could be converted into 41-48 ou s -1 EFP -1 .…”

“…Many different techniques for developing such a criterion exist including questionnaires and telephone surveys (Hayes et al, 2006). In many countries, the exposure criteria to be respected near the receptor is translated into numerical value as an odour concentration (in ou m -3 ) with 1 h averaging and a given percentile compliance.…”

“…Nevertheless, some works aimed at establishing reliable dose-effect relationships (see e.g. Misselbrook et al, 1993;Jiang, 2000;Hayes et al, 2006). Miedema et al (2000) deduced from survey measurements the following relationship between exposure and annoyance.…”

“…The choice of the right corresponding odour concentration value depends on the offensive character of the odour. A study conducted in Ireland (Hayes et al, 2006) concludes that impact criterion C 98.1-h <9.7 ou E m -3 could be implemented for poultry production units.…”

“…Most guidelines were already empirically derived on the basis of practical field surveys (VDI, 2001), some of them were analysed and sometimes adapted by subsequent studies (Bongers et al, 2001 ). Many interesting works compare also the buffer zone approach to the area delimited by a percentile calculated by an atmospheric dispersion model (Schauberger et al, 2001;Hayes et al, 2006). They constitute powerful tools for further investigation.…”