A Citizen Science Approach to Address Odour Pollution in Greece

Odour pollution presents significant challenges to both environmental quality and public health, impacting the quality of life for affected communities. This issue is particularly complex and subjective, with varying individual responses to odours. In Greece, the city of Thessaloniki faces odour pollution stemming from industrial, urban development and sewage activities, necessitating comprehensive solutions. Drawing upon interdisciplinary studies and collaboration between academia, local authorities, and citizen groups, a citizen science-driven approach is proposed to comprehensively map and mitigate odour-related challenges. The paper outlines a collaborative approach aimed at defining specific steps for co-designing processes to address odour issues locally, with Thessaloniki as a pilot case. The paper aims to provide a holistic understanding of odour pollution issues, facilitate the formulation of sustainable solutions, and ensure inclusiveness across diverse socio-economic and socio-cultural realities. By engaging stakeholders and utilizing tools such as the OdourCollect App and smell diaries, the methodology successfully engages diverse communities affected by odour pollution, including those traditionally marginalized or isolated. Data analysis from the pilot application validates the existence of odour nuisance in key areas, providing qualitative and quantitative insights into the problem. This paper contributes to understanding odour nuisance and offers insights into effective community-driven interventions to tackle this complex environmental issue, while explores the replication potential of the approach in other regions affected by odour pollution. Key words: Odour Nuisance; Odour Pollution; Odour; Citizen Science; Stakeholder Engagement; Stakeholders Consultation; Participatory Approach; Statistical Analysis; Thessal