http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/index.asp 402 editor@iaeme.com
International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET)
Volume 10, Issue 10, October 2019, pp. 402-414, Article ID: IJCIET_10_10_039
Available online at http://www.iaeme.com/ijciet/issues.asp?JType=IJCIET&VType=10&IType=10
ISSN Print: 0976-6308 and ISSN Online: 0976-6316
© IAEME Publication
HEALTH, MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL
IMPACTS OF ODOUR PRODUCING
INDUSTRIAL EMISSIONS ON MAN
Dr Kehdinga George Fomunyam
Mangosuthu University of Technology
Kehdinga.george@mut.ac.za
ABSTRACT
This article engages with several important issues regarding the health and
psychological impacts of odour producing industrial emissions on man using different
countries as case study. It provides a brief description on what odour is, its
characterization, factors that comprise the pattern of environmental odour impacts
and methods of odour measurement. This is followed by the health effect of odour
emissions on the respiratory system, olfactory system and cerebral system as well as
its psychological effect such as annoyance, dizziness, depressive mood and stress.
Countries were used as case study to assess the level of these impacts on residents
based on the complaints received from different agencies responsible for
environmental protection in such countries. The bill right coupled with the level of
compliance to these laws were also examined in this article. Finally, the article
concludes with a set of recommendations to mitigate or totally eradicate odour
pollution in the environment.
Keywords: Olfaction, Health, Emotion, Mental, Odorous Emission
Cite this Article: Dr Kehdinga George Fomunyam, Health, Mental and Emotional
Impacts of Odour Producing Industrial Emissions on Man. International Journal of
Civil Engineering and Technology 10(10), 2019, pp. 402-414.
http://www.iaeme.com/IJCIET/issues.asp?JType=IJCIET&VType=10&IType=10
1. INTRODUCTION
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as: a state of complete physical,
mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity (WHO,
1948). For many years, the odour emissions from human activities have been commonly
accepted. But over the past few decades, odours have become an important element of air
pollution and according to Sven (2004), the understanding of human reactions to odours and
their importance for human well-being and health is of major concern in the control of
malodours and manipulation of odours in the environment.
Environmental odours from anthropogenic origin are usually emitted from industrial and
agricultural activities, including wastewater treatment plants (WWTP), food industry,
rendering plants, landfills, livestock buildings, foundries, petrochemical parks, slaughter