VDI 3883 Blatt 4:2017-06

Complaints about odours in ambient air belong to the most frequent objections, especially in case of installations situated in the immediate vicinity of residential areas. Handling these sorts of complaints does often mean considerable expenditure of time and personnel for the authorities in charge. This standard describes the systematic assessment and handling of odour complaints. The procedure is divided into the following steps: a) recording of the complaint (data collection), b) identifying the emitters, c) evaluation, and d) measures. The standard presents principles, examples of use and practical tools like forms. Main users of the standard are surveillance, licencing and technical authorities in charge of air pollution control. The standard can be used for all kinds of odour complaints irrespective of whether the installations concerned are subject to approval or not.