Odour emissions from agricultural industries – implications for environmental safety and local sustainability

Environmental pollution is a critical global issue with profound impacts on human health, genetic potential, and climate change.The Lancet Commission on Global Mental Health reports that approximately 9 million premature deaths each year are attributed to environmental pollution worldwide.Ukraine ranks among the highest of 120 countries in terms of deaths per 100,000 people caused by atmospheric air pollution.Notably, elevated levels of atmospheric pollution have been recorded not only in traditionally industrial regions.These alarming statistics underscore the deteriorating state of environmental security and highlight the urgent need to mitigate climate change.One critical gap in Ukrainian environmental legislation is the absence of regulations concerning the assessment of odors as pollutants.Odor-related emissions, despite being a primary cause of public complaints regarding air quality, remain outside the scope of state management and control.This research seeks to address this gap by investigating the causes and dispersion of odorous compounds, with a specific focus on emissions from oil extraction production-an important sector of Ukraine's agricultural industry.Considering odors as a significant factor is crucial in the planning, construction, and sustainable development of human settlements.Odor perception thresholds are often lower than the maximum allowable concentrations of pollutants, emphasizing the necessity of incorporating odorous substances into environmental impact assessments.The methodology employed in this study is robust and adaptable, making it applicable for assessing air pollution levels and evaluating the harmful effects of odorous substances on both the environment and public health.