We all worry about the quality of our air, water and soil, and even the clutter from city noise and light. But odor pollution?
This foul-smelling topic caught the nose of Gennaro Saliceto, who graduated this month with a masters of science from the 黑料网吃瓜爆料 (COPH), with a concentration in .
For his master鈥檚 thesis paper, titled 鈥淐ommunity-based Assessment of Air Pollution in Childs Park, Florida: An Exploratory Study to Investigate Persistent Odors,鈥� Saliceto worked with Dr. Amy Stuart, professor, a team of researchers at 黑料网吃瓜爆料and Eckerd College; and other local collaborators to address a lingering odor problem in a St. Petersburg neighborhood.
The team鈥檚 work documented noxious smells that for years had been permeating a residential area called Childs Park 鈭� annoying and even alarming those who lived there.
鈥淥dor pollution is not just a nuisance but also a public health concern,鈥� Saliceto said. 鈥淔or many years, residents in Childs Park have reported unpleasant odors and although there have been prior efforts to address the issue, the odors continue to be a concern for a community that worries about possible health implications.鈥欌��
Saliceto鈥檚 thesis research focused on identifying the presence of airborne pollutants that generate odors, quantifying the concentrations of pollutants and exploring the sources and conditions that might cause the problem. Studies have shown that odor can lead to health issues, such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, stress and even psychological problems.
鈥淥dors are considered a form of pollution because they release unwanted, often harmful substances into the environment, which can adversely affect human health, well-being, and ecosystems,鈥欌�� Saliceto said. 鈥淪imilar to noise or light pollution, odor is known for its ability to disturb both lives and the environment, even when it鈥檚 not immediately visible.鈥欌��
As a result of this work, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Pinellas County Air Quality Division installed a device that continuously monitors air pollutants that contribute to odors. His effort was recognized in a first-place award for his poster presentation at an International American Waste Management Association conference.
Saliceto and the research team began their work in 2022 by assessing community air quality concerns, teaching local residents about air quality concepts and running a community mapping exercise to identify possible odor hot spots. Through this collaborative process, a goal emerged to identify odors and their sources, with a focus on identifying and quantifying toxic pollutants.
The team took nearly 6,000 one-minute measurements of trace levels in the air around Childs Park. They also took four 30-minute walking routes and three more in another neighborhood for comparison. The research included passive sampling for toxic organic compounds in air and meteorological monitoring for wind and weather conditions. The data found that median measured levels of hydrogen sulfide exceeded minimum odor levels and were higher than some screening levels for health.
(Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)
But what is the source of the odors? An industrial corridor runs through Childs Park and the businesses include a concrete plant, a chrome plating company, a water reclamation facility and companies involved in oil and gas. Although residents point to these facilities as possible causes of the odors, no hard evidence links them to the problem.
鈥淲e have not found any specific source to pinpoint,鈥欌�� he said. 鈥淚鈥檓 aware that some of the industries there made some adjustments to their procedures (changings filters), but not more than this. Further investigation can determine the source.鈥欌��
The EPA and the Pinellas Air Quality Division plan to share more information from their monitors in the near future. 鈥淲e鈥檙e waiting their results,鈥欌�� Saliceto said. 鈥淚 plan to report the findings to the community through the Childs Park Neighborhood Association and to collaborate with the Pinellas division assisting with the data collection.鈥欌��
The study underscores the need for stricter regulatory oversight of odorous pollutant emissions, particularly in industrial areas near residential communities, according to Saliceto鈥檚 thesis. Policies to reduce emissions from localized sources, such as industrial facilities and waste management sites, should be prioritized. Additionally, the study highlights the importance of incorporating odor thresholds into air quality regulations, as sensory impacts play a critical role in shaping residents' perceptions of air quality and quality of life.
Similar research around Florida and the country could help reduce the problem of foul odors and Saliceto is proud to have made a 鈥減ositive contribution鈥欌�� to this ongoing effort.
鈥淚 feel that this was the greatest accomplishment of the study,鈥欌�� he said about the broader impact. 鈥淭his type of research is extremely important and valuable for the communities impacted by any sort of pollution because it addresses urgent needs in environmental fairness, public health and child protection, and has the potential to drive meaningful change both locally and beyond.鈥欌��