Building 42 Wrest Park Silsoe BEDFORD Bedfordshire MK45 4HP
01525 860222
info@silsoeodours.co.uk

HOW TO PUT YOUR ODOUR SAMPLES IN SAFE HANDS

HOW TO PUT YOUR ODOUR SAMPLES IN SAFE HANDS

Silsoe Odours provides excellent testing services for your odour samples

WHY USE OUR TRUSTED LAB TO TEST YOUR ODOUR SAMPLES?

Silsoe Odours offers a wide range of odour services and an integrated approach to any odour challenge. However, did you know that we also provide independent analysis of your odour samples? It is possible to collect odour samples yourself and send them to us for testing. Many clients find this a really helpful option when they offer odour sampling services but lack their own olfactometry laboratory facilities. Most clients who take advantage of this service are environmental consultants and operators.

Finding a reliable odour laboratory to test your odour samples can be challenging. At Silsoe Odours, we are at the forefront of the industry in terms of the service we offer and the quality we deliver. Our credentials speak for themselves. For example, we were the first odour lab in the UK to receive UKAS accreditation and we have maintained this every year since. As proof of our ongoing commitment to quality, we underwent our 19th successful UKAS audit at the start of 2023. Of course, we do not expect you to take our word for it. In this article, we share testimonials from our clients. So, you can hear directly from those who have experience working with us. 

Olfactometry is the process of measuring the concentration and intensity of odour.

Odour sampling can deliver data that helps you understand the magnitude and characteristics of odour emissions

A Jerome is one of the devices we use in the Silsoe Odours laboratory.

HOW TO COLLECT ODOUR SAMPLES

It is important to collect and store odour samples properly, in order to prevent contamination or degradation. To prevent contamination or degradation, you must collect and store odour samples properly. Specifically, you should collect all samples in line with the requirements of European Standard BSEN13725.

Silsoe Odours can help if you lack the expertise, equipment or facilities you need to collect odour samples. We advise you to carefully evaluate your capabilities and resources, to ensure your samples meet the necessary standards for accurate and reliable results.

In order to collect good-quality samples, you must have a thorough understanding of how to measure odour. With this in mind, there are several different documents that can help. To help get you started, we have compiled a useful reference list of the key standard and guidances.

European Standard for Olfactometry BSEN13725:2022
You’ll need to purchase this one at the BSI shop.

Institute of Air Quality Management
Guidance on the assessment of odour for planning

Environment Agency
Additional guidance for H4 Odour Management – how to comply with your environmental permit

WHAT CAN WE TEST ODOUR SAMPLES FOR?

When you provide us with odour samples, we can test them for various properties, using our specialist odour panel and olfactometer. The specifics will, of course, depend on your requirements but may include the following:

Odour Concentration

When we test an odour sample for its odour concentration following BSEN13725, we provide an objective number which describes the odour emitted from a specific source. You can use this to assess how effective odour control systems are. You may also find the information useful for regulatory compliance and monitoring purposes, especially in industries where odour emissions are a concern.

Odour Intensity

We use a qualitative scale to rank the perceived strength of the odour, from very faint to extremely strong. Understanding the intensity of an odour can help determine the level of nuisance it causes. You may find this valuable in assessing the overall impact on the surrounding community.

Odour Characterisation

We can provide a detailed description of the odour at just above the detection level. You may find this useful to distinguish between different sources of odour, and to validate odour complaints.

Hedonic Tone

In this case, we use a quantitative scale to rate how pleasant or unpleasant an odour is. This can give the operator an indication of the impact of the odour on the local community.

Chemical Analysis

Here we identify the individual compounds contained in a sample with odour. Understanding the chemical breakdown can help you to determine the most effective strategies for controlling and reducing a site’s odorous emissions.

Odour Detection Threshold

This test provides a numerical value for the odour of a particular compound. The odour detection threshold is the lowest concentration an odour can be detected by the human nose. By determining the odour detection threshold, you can understand how easily the odour can be noticeable. You can then use this knowledge to design and implement well-informed odour control strategies.

WHAT DO OUR CLIENTS SAY?

H&M Environmental Ltd

H&M provides specialist odour monitoring and measurement services. 

Silsoe Odours are invaluable to me as a partner for testing odour samples. I use their laboratory services, on average, several times each month, for many of my clients.

Silsoe Odours are a great source of expertise and allow me to offer clients an integrated consultancy experience, without the associated overhead and resourcing costs of operating my own laboratory.

They understand both my needs as an independent environmental consultant, and those of my clients – whether utilities or multi-national operators.

The flexibility and ease of working with Silsoe Odours is hugely valuable. I don’t hesitate to recommend their services.

Matthew Houseman, Director, H&M Environmental Ltd

Biogen

Biogen is the UK’s leading operator of anaerobic digestion plants with over 20 years of working in the food waste recycling industry.

At Biogen, we regularly take odour samples from around our sites. This forms part of our Best Practice activities within our Odour Management Plans. By being proactive, we’re able to demonstrate compliance with our operating permits to the regulator and ensure we’re not impacting the communities we work alongside.

Our in-house teams conduct the odour sampling activities, with Silsoe Odours completing the subsequent odour testing. I knew of Silsoe Odours from my previous role, and from attending their Odour Study Day training course. We’ve now been working closely with them for over 10 years, and they have proven themselves a highly trusted partner.

The team at Silsoe Odours are knowledgeable and friendly, and the laboratory services they provide are second-to-none. I cannot recommend them enough for their understanding of our business needs, flexibility and efficiency. Their odour specialists are also a valued source of helpful, prompt advice.

Kate Lister, Director of Compliance, Biogen

TALK TO OUR LAB TEAM

In summary, finding a great partner to test your odour samples is a really important part of achieving accurate, reliable results. With this in mind, please do get in touch with our experienced laboratory team. In the first instance, you can call us on 01525 860222 or email us at info@silsoeodours.co.uk. Alternatively, you can click below to reach us. You can also follow us on LinkedInTwitter and Facebook, where we regularly share useful odour control information.

Updated 8th March 2023

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