Evaluating methodologies for assessing the cumulative effects of odour from swine confined feeding operations

The objective of this study was to determine the feasibility of advancing air quality cumulative effects assessment (CEA) methodologies for the evaluation of odour-related impacts from confined feeding operations (CFOs). The CEA methodologies from the oil and gas, petrochemical, and power industries can be adapted to support evaluation of cumulative effects from a proposed new or expanding CFO. However, components of the CEA methodologies would need to be adapted to support the CFO evaluations. Air dispersion modelling is an important tool in cumulative effects evaluations. The ADMS 3 model is currently the only model available that meets the criteria identified in this research for modelling odour-related cumulative effects. The major limitations to utilizing air dispersion models for the analysis of cumulative effects related to odour include: lack of site-specific micrometeorological and topographical data; lack of continuous ambient and emission monitoring equipment; and absence of defined emission rates.