Odour nuisance is one of the main causes of environmental discomfort and public concern in areas affected by industrial activities, waste treatment facilities, infrastructure and port areas. These events are often intermittent, complex and difficult to manage using conventional monitoring tools alone.
NOSE – Network for Odour Sensitivity was developed to support public authorities, environmental agencies and private operators in the structured management of odour-related issues, integrating citizen reports, environmental data and atmospheric modelling.
The platform can be deployed within predefined geographic areas and activated for single monitoring campaigns or continuous long-term monitoring programmes.
WHAT PROAMBIENTE DOES
PROAMBIENTE deploys the NOSE system in critical areas as a scientific and operational tool, developed through collaboration between:
HOW NOSE WORKS
1. Citizen Reporting (Citizen Science)
Anonymous, georeferenced reporting of perceived odour events via a dedicated web app, allowing users to indicate odour type, perceived intensity, level of discomfort.
2. Integrated Analysis
Reports are analysed in real time and integrated with: meteorological data, air quality measurements, atmospheric dispersion modelling outputs.
3. Identification of Potential Sources
The use of back-trajectory atmospheric models makes it possible to trace the likely origin of odour events by reconstructing air mass movement up to the reporting location.
4. Monitoring Support
When predefined thresholds are exceeded, the system can optionally trigger automatic air sampling, chemical analysis, dynamic olfactometry assessments
All information is centralized within an operational dashboard, accessible to control authorities and public administrations.
The NOSE web app enables citizens to report odour nuisance events in real time following registration and SMS-based mobile number verification. The system automatically records the device’s geographic location while ensuring privacy through identity anonymization procedures and location filtering and masking mechanisms. Users can report multiple characteristics associated with the perceived odour event, generating a structured dataset for technical analysis.
The distinctive strength of NOSE lies in its ability to contextualize citizen reports through scientific interpretation. Meteorological simulations are used to estimate air mass back-trajectories, supporting the identification of potential odour emission sources.
The system can also integrate:
- meteorological data from existing local monitoring stations
- air quality measurements
- compatible automated air samplers for event-triggered monitoring
NOSE therefore operates as an integrated platform for odour nuisance monitoring and management, functioning as a Decision Support System (DSS) for both odour incident response and self-monitoring and emission management activities.
WHERE IT HAS BEEN DEPLOYED
The NOSE system is already operational in multiple territorial contexts, including:
- Sicily Region, in collaboration with ARPA Sicilia
- Abruzzo Region, in collaboration with ARTA Abruzzo
This operational experience enables the system to be effectively replicated in new territories affected by recurring odour emission issues.
WHAT YOU GAIN
- structured management of odour nuisance reports
- technical-scientific support for environmental control activities
- greater transparency in communication with citizens
- access to a historical database for analysis, planning and decision-making
WHO THIS SERVICE IS FOR
- Public Administrations
- ARPA agencies and environmental control bodies
- territories affected by recurring odour nuisance issues
- facility and infrastructure operators
- companies with odour-critical industrial processes
Interested in deploying the nose system in your territory?
Contact us for a tailor-made assessment and implementation of the modular NOSE platform
