Olores.org Newsletter November 2023

   We are thrilled to announce the culmination of three years of dedicated work resulting in the world's first international handbook focused on the assessment of odour exposure through dispersion modelling. This initiative aimed to bridge a gap in existing guidelines for odour management and other guidelines related to dispersion modelling and now the first edition is available for download.

   The handbook tackles the intricacies of modelling odours, acknowledging the unique characteristics of odour incidents often perceived in seconds or minutes, thereby challenging traditional dispersion modelling modes. Emphasizing exposure is critical for accurately calculating the impact of odours on ambient air, particularly during calm or very low wind speeds when dispersion is constrained.

   The recently concluded "Gerüche in der Umwelt 2023" conference, held on November 29-30, has been hailed as a resounding success, with approximately 160 participants gathering to explore the latest advancements and discussions in the realm of olfactometry and odor assessment.

   One of the standout features of the event was the keynote address delivered by Mr. Dietmar Mannebeck, a founding partner of Olfasense GmbH, Kiel. His presentation, a captivating summary of the history of TO olfactometers, provided attendees with valuable insights into the evolution of the TO olffactometer and of the olfactometry itself. Dietmar paid tribute to his father, Dr. Heinrich Mannebeck, a trailblazer in German olfactometry. Dr. Heinrich Mannebeck was an agricultural scientist that initiated his olfactometry journey in 1976, developing a simple device to capture ambient indoor and outdoor samples with noticeable concentrations. His pioneering work laid the foundation for advancements in odour assessment.

   In a recent announcement, the Clean Air Society of Australia and New Zealand (CASANZ) and the International Water Association (IWA) have extended the Call for Abstracts for the highly anticipated joint conference in 2024. The 27th CASANZ International Clean Air and Environment Conference, in collaboration with the 10th Odours and Air Emissions Conference, is set to be a global gathering of professionals, researchers, industry experts, and policymakers in Hobart, Australia, from 25th to 28th August 2024.

   This extension provides an excellent opportunity for individuals engaged in odour science, assessment, regulation, management, and engineering to contribute their insights to the conference. The organizers invite professionals from around the world to share their expertise, fostering an exchange of knowledge that will drive advancements in the field. The extended deadline for abstract submissions is now 22nd January 2024, allowing interested participants additional time to prepare and submit their contributions.

The German Committee on Indoor Air Guide Values (AIR) has recently unveiled the latest revision of their Odour Guide Values (OGVs), available on their website as of August 2023. These updated values are the result of a meticulous review and integration of new scientific and analytical findings, further enhancing their commitment to addressing indoor air quality concerns.

The OGVs are used to assess the plausibility of complaints about odour annoyance in indoor air. These values indicate the threshold at which measures should be taken to minimize odour exposure. OGVs are established to address concerns about exposure to indoor air pollutants causing unusual or unpleasant odours. The focus is on potential annoyance effects associated with indoor air quality.

   In May 2024, the International Symposium on Olfaction and Electronic Nose (ISOEN) will convene at the Grapevine Convention Center, situated adjacent to the Dallas Fort-Worth International Airport. ISOEN 2024, renowned for its focus on artificial chemoreception, olfaction, and taste, will serve as a global platform for scientists, engineers, and practitioners to exchange the latest developments in sensor technologies and related fields.

   The symposium will delve into various topics, encompassing odor sampling techniques, sensor materials, multivariable sensor arrays, and data analytics applications across medical, industrial, environmental, air quality, and food safety sectors. Additionally, discussions will extend to IoT, robotic systems, and bioengineering, reflecting the diverse applications of artificial chemoreception.

   In a bid to push the boundaries of environmental science and biotechnology, the 9th International Conference on Biotechniques for Air Pollution Control and Biorefinery (Biotechniques-2024) is set to captivate A Coruña, Spain, from July 10 – 12, 2024. Organized by the BIOENGIN group at the University of A Coruña, this conference promises an immersive exploration of cutting-edge biotechniques applied to air pollution control and biorefinery processes.

   The conference agenda spans a diverse array of topics, including biodegradation and valorization of volatile compounds, waste gases, and greenhouse gases. From syngas fermentation to microbiology of biocatalysts, attendees will delve into the latest advancements in environmental biotechnology, metabolic engineering, and industrial applications. The aim is to uncover innovative solutions that contribute to air pollution control, greenhouse gas mitigation, and sustainable (bio)fuels production.

   The recently concluded Ecomondo conference in Rimini, Italy, stood as a testament to the growing commitment towards environmental protection and sustainable solutions. The conference, held on Tuesday, 7th November, brought together professionals, experts, and environmental enthusiasts from around the world to discuss advancements in the field of Environmental Odour Monitoring & Control.

   A particular highlight of the conference was the special session on "Odour Emissions: from Abatement Technologies to New Control Strategies," held in the Malatesta - Environmental Monitoring zone in pavilion D8. The session drew an impressive crowd, showcasing the keen interest and dedication of attendees to explore innovative solutions for odour management.

   Odeuropa is a European research project which bundles expertise in sensory mining and olfactory heritage. We develop novel methods to collect information about smell from (digital) text and image collections. This Tuesday there was the final event gathering 160 people in the Odeuropa Smell Culture Fair that unfolded at the Trippenhuis (Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences) in Amsterdam. This groundbreaking event marked a significant milestone in our journey to explore, understand, and celebrate olfactory heritage.

   The day commenced with a warm welcome by Zakia Guernina, the interim director general of the KNAW, setting the tone for an enriching experience ahead. The Plenary Session, led by PI Inger Leemans, provided a comprehensive introduction to Olfactory Heritage and the Odeuropa project. The unveiling of the IFF x Odeuropa Historical Scent Collection by Bernardo Fleming and the Heritage Smell Library by Isabelle Chazot added a sensorial dimension to our understanding of history.

Once again, the ISOCS Short Course Winter is here. In this iSOCS SCW 2024, world-leading experts will gather in Bormio, Italy from January 15 to 19 to delve into the fascinating field of "CHEMICAL SENSING FOR BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS: FROM A PROOF OF CONCEPT TO A MEDICAL DEVICE."

Actually, this is not just an opportunity to learn more about Instrumental Odour Monitoring Systems in the field of biomedical devices but also a chance to go skiing with friends. This perfect combination makes these courses both enriching and enjoyable.

   On the 28th of November 2023, the initiative ATTRACT Phase2 has organized an in-person event (100% free and open to the community) in Valencia (Spain) from 8:30 a.m. The event is promoted by the SNIFFIRDRONE group partners, including the University of Barcelona as the project coordinator, Depuración de Aguas del Mediterráneo Group (DAM S.L.), University of Lancaster, Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Gas Sensing Solutions, and Microsystems and Nanotechnology SINTEF Digital.

   During the event, innovative approaches and technologies that are shaping the future of the environmental monitoring field will be explored. Experts from key organizations will share their insights, providing valuable perspectives on sensor technology, data analysis, and regulatory frameworks on odours/odorants.

   The well-known International Conference on Environmental Monitoring of Odours and VOCs, the NOSE2024, organized by AIDIC on this occasion on 15-18 September 2024, in Naples, Italy, has already opened the call for abstracts.

   NOSE2024 will take a series of presentations and discussions in invited plenary lectures, lecture presentations and poster sessions. The deadline for abstract submission is December 15th, 2023. The Conference, organized by AIDIC: The Italian Association of Chemical Engineering, is the 9th Conference of the NOSE series.