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Odor nuisance and health risk assessment of VOC emissions from a rendering plant

DOI:10.1007/s11869-020-00935-2
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Eleni Sazakli at University of Patras
Eleni Sazakli
Michalis Leotsinidis at University of Patras
Michalis Leotsinidis
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Abstract and Figures

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are generated from animal rendering facilities, some of which are malodorous, while others are considered hazardous. Odor annoyance potential, possible carcinogenic risks, and toxic effects due to VOC emissions from a rendering plant unit in Southwest Greece were evaluated for the general population residing in the near vicinity. Nine air samples were collected from the facilities of an integrated rendering plant and the surrounding area, over a 9-month period. Volatile compounds were absorbed onto solid sorbents containing Tenax TA/Sulficarb via active sampling and analyzed by thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS). Sixty-three organic compounds, mainly volatile fatty acids, aldehydes, aromatic, and sulfur compounds, were quantified, in concentrations ranging from < 0.01 to 210 μg m−3. The compounds contributing most to odor nuisance were butanoic acid, dimethyl trisulfide, and octanal, exceeding their odor threshold by up to 24, 36, and 117 times, respectively. Cancer and non-cancer risks were determined by a probabilistic risk assessment method. The cumulative lifetime cancer risk for the general population was calculated to be on average 10 times higher than the acceptable risk (one-in-a-million). The cumulative mean hazard quotient was 3.3 and its 95th percentile was 4.0, indicating a high risk of adverse health effects. Control measures to prevent the generation of the VOCs responsible for both odor nuisance and potential adverse health effects should be adopted.
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Odor nuisance and health risk assessment of VOC emissions
from a rendering plant
Eleni Sazakli
1
&Michalis Leotsinidis
1
Received: 29 July 2020 /Accepted: 1 September 2020
#Springer Nature B.V. 2020
Abstract
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are generated from animal rendering facilities, some of which are malodorous, while others
are considered hazardous. Odor annoyance potential, possible carcinogenic risks, and toxic effects due to VOC emissions from a
rendering plant unit in Southwest Greece were evaluated for the general population residing in the near vicinity. Nine air samples
were collected from the facilities of an integrated rendering plant and the surrounding area, over a 9-month period. Volatile
compounds were absorbed onto solid sorbents containing Tenax TA/Sulficarb via active sampling and analyzed by thermal
desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS). Sixty-three organic compounds, mainly volatile fatty acids,
aldehydes, aromatic, and sulfur compounds, were quantified, in concentrations ranging from < 0.01 to 210 μgm
−3
. The
compounds contributing most to odor nuisance were butanoic acid, dimethyl trisulfide, and octanal, exceeding their odor
threshold by up to 24, 36, and 117 times, respectively. Cancer and non-cancer risks were determined by a probabilistic risk
assessment method. The cumulative lifetime cancer risk for the general population was calculated to be on average 10 times
higher than the acceptable risk (one-in-a-million). The cumulative mean hazard quotient was 3.3 and its 95th percentile was 4.0,
indicating a high risk of adverse health effects. Control measures to prevent the generation of the VOCs responsible for both odor
nuisance and potential adverse health effects should be adopted.
Keywords Odorous compounds .Health risk assessment .Rendering .Emissions .VOCs .Health hazards
Introduction
Animal rendering is the process of converting slaughter-
houses’by-products into safe, nutritional, and economically
valuable products. Rendering offers both the retrieval of nu-
tritional commodities and the hygienic disposal of animal car-
casses and thus promotes circular economy and minimizes
potential hazards to animal and human health. However, the
production and emission of malodorous volatile organic com-
pounds (VOCs), occurring in rendering plants, due to soft
tissue decomposition and post-mortem decay is a major envi-
ronmental problem (Bhatti et al. 2014).
Odor is defined as anything able to stimulate the olfactory
system. In fact, the theoretical minimum concentration of
odorant stimulus necessary for odor detection in the 50% of
the population is defined as the odor detection threshold
(USEPA 2001). The olfactory receptor neurons involved in
the perception and recognition of odors are 6–10 millions
(Ignatieva et al. 2014), enabling the human nose to sense more
than 3000 odors and many times at concentrations even lower
than those detectable by advanced analytical methods, such as
gas chromatography (USEPA 2001). An odor is recognized
through the olfactory nerve, while the sensation of pungency
(burning, freshness, prickling, irritation, stinging) is mediated
by the trigeminal nerve (McGinley and McGinley 1999).
After being detected, the intensity, character, and hedonic tone
of the odor stimulus are determined. Intensity refers to the
perceived strength of the odor sensation and is proportional
to the logarithm of odor concentration, as described by
Fencher’s law or Stevens’model. Odor character or quality
is the verbal description of the type of smell, while hedonic
tone relates to pleasantness or unpleasantness of the odor, first
Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article
(https://doi.org/10.1007/s11869-020-00935-2) contains supplementary
material, which is available to authorized users.
*Michalis Leotsinidis
micleon@upatras.gr
Eleni Sazakli
elsazak@upatras.gr
1
Lab of Public Health, Medical School, University of Patras, GR-265
04 Patras, Greece
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11869-020-00935-2
/ Published online: 11 September 2020
Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health (2021) 14:301–312
Content courtesy of Springer Nature, terms of use apply. Rights reserved.
... The Department of Environmental Inspection of the Ministry of Environment and Energy together with the Development Directorate of the Prefecture, in response to the complaints of the residents, carried out several inspections, certified environmental violations in the operation of the plant and imposed fines. At the same time, the Laboratory of Public Health of the University of Patras investigated the quality of the surrounding ambient air with respect to the Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) emitted by the plant and evaluated the health risks to the inhabitants due to these organic emissions (Sazakli and Leotsinidis 2021). In response, in May 2020, the Deputy Regional Governor of the Prefecture took the decision of permanent cessation of the operation of the factory. ...
... Four air sampling campaigns were conducted after activity termination of the rendering plant, in June and September of 2020 and 2021, that is one and four months after closure and the corresponding months one year later. Additionally, seven air samples had been collected during the operation period (Sazakli and Leotsinidis 2021). The sampling sites along with the meteorological conditions at the time of sampling, for both periods (before and after the closure) are presented in Table 1. ...
... Experimental design and the detailed protocol of sampling and chemical analysis for VOC determination have been reported in a previous publication (Sazakli and Leotsinidis 2021). In brief, active sampling was conducted in two-bed sorbent conditioned tubes containing Tenax TA/Sulficarb (Markes International Ltd., UK), at a flow rate of 50 mL·min −1 for 60 min. ...
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Article
  • Jul 2019
In this study, occupational exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the rendering plant of poultry slaughterhouse was determined and subsequently, carcinogen and non-carcinogenic risks were assessed using the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) methods of 1501 and 1600 were used to measure VOCs in the breathing zone of the workers. Samples were analyzed by GC/MS. Carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks and sensitivity analysis were carried out using Monte Carlo simulations technique. The concentration of benzene and CS 2 was higher than the occupational exposure limits (OEL). The hazard quotient (HQ) values for all measured compounds was more than 1, which indicating the high potential for non-carcinogenic risks. Furthermore, the calculated Lifetime Cancer Risks (LCR) for carcinogenic compounds revealed that cancer risk due to benzene is higher than the maximum acceptable level provided by USEPA (10 ⁻⁶ ). Based on the sensitivity analysis, the concentration and exposure frequency are the most important variable influencing both carcinogen and non-carcinogenic risks. Therefore, the concentration levels of the VOCs and exposure frequency should be controlled using engineering control measures.
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Fenaroli's handbook of flavor ingredients, sixth edition
Book
  • Apr 2016
Since publication of the first edition in 1971, Fenaroli's Handbook of Flavor Ingredients has remained the standard reference for flavor ingredients throughout the world. Each subsequent edition has listed more flavor ingredients and allied substances, including those conferred food additive status, substances generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by qualified scientists (including the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers' Association Expert Panel) and those substances having undergone GRAS Notification with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). New in the Sixth Edition 200+ newly approved flavor ingredients Ingredient's safety standing with the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers' Association and/or the FDA Extensive and expanded information on aroma and taste thresholds Updated regulatory information on each flavor ingredient New discussion on botanical substances that serve as flavoring ingredients The fourth and fifth editions added more than 300 new entries and represented a total reorganization and updating of the text, consistent with new data and regulations. This, the sixth edition, is likewise expanded with over 200 new entries, including many botanicals and other natural substances. The addition of botanicals is a response to an expanded readership with an interest in dietary supplements, in which a number of flavoring botanicals serve a dual role.
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Public Health Risk Assessment for Human Exposure to Chemicals
Book
  • Jan 2017
This book provides a concise, yet comprehensive overview of the many facets relating to human health risk assessments in relation to chemical exposure problems. It presents some very important tools and methodologies that can be used to address chemical exposure and public health risk management problems in a consistent, efficient, and cost-effective manner. On the whole, the book represents a collection and synthesis of the principal elements of the risk assessment process that may be used to more effectively address issues pertaining to human exposures to chemicals found in modern societies. This also includes an elaboration of pertinent risk assessment concepts and techniques/methodologies for performing human health risk assessments. Written for both the novice and the experienced, the subject matter of this book is an attempt at offering a simplified and systematic presentation of public health risk assessment methods and application tools – all these facilitated by a layout that will carefully navigate the user through the major processes involved. A number of illustrative example problems are interspersed throughout the book, in order to help present the book in an easy-to-follow, pragmatic manner.
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Assessment of Odour and VOC Depuration Efficiency of Advanced Biofilters in Rendering, Sludge Composting and Waste Water Treatment Plants
Article
  • Jan 2014
Stringent requirements of ambient air quality regarding odour concentration levels are being implemented worldwide. Frequently, the conventional technologies available (scrubbers, conventional biofilters, activated charcoal filters…) are unable to achieve the required emission or immission limits when these are very stringent due to the presence of vulnerable receptors in the vicinity. High Performance odour abatement technologies, such as Advanced Biofilters or Thermal Oxidation, have been developed and applied in order to overcome these limitations. The Advanced Biofiltration systems can achieve better odour removal efficiencies (besides other enhanced capabilities) than conventional ones, allowing a suitable depuration of the odoriferous emissions. In this work we have conducted an assessment of the performance of 3 Advanced Biofilters used for the treatment of odour emissions and removal of VOCs from: a) an Animal Waste Rendering Plant in Hamar, Norway (where an Advanced Biofilter was installed in 2008 that has successfully minimized important odour-related problems) b) a Municipal Waste Water Treatment Plant in Middelfart, Denmark (treating anemission of 1,500m3/h) c) a WWTP sludge Composting Plant in Mallorca, Spain. Thus, several parameters were measured at the inlet and at the outlet of such biofilters: odour concentration was measured by means of dynamic olfactometry in order to determine their odour reduction efficacy. Ammonia and hydrogen sulfide concentrations were determined as well. Speciated VOC analyses were performed in order to assess the reduction efficacy regarding significant odoriferous VOCs.
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