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NOSE - Network for Odour Sensitivity

 

PROAMBIENTE actively participates in the NOSE Project – Network for Odour Sensitivity, a scientific tool with operational purposes, developed since 2019 by CNR-ISAC in collaboration with ARPA Sicilia e Inkode.

This tool is designed to support territorial control activities through the detection and tracking of odorous nuisances as perceived by the population. It aims to respond to citizens’ concerns regarding the origin of unpleasant smells and to identify the responsible sources. At its core is an integrated and participatory approach between scientific research and the public to tackle the issue of odour pollution and to improve citizens’ quality of life.

 

NOSE OBJECTIVES

The NOSE project pursues several key objectives:

  • Provide a tool for Environmental Justice through a participatory Citizen Science platform, increasing awareness and public engagement.

  • Real-time monitoring of odorous nuisances, using citizen reports to locate and characterize pollution events by integrating various data sources.

  • Trace the origin of odorous air masses using meteorological and back-trajectory models.

  • Support ARPA – Regional Environmental Protection Agencies in their monitoring and enforcement activities.

  • Contribute to the development of more effective environmental regulations and policies, and offer companies the opportunity to implement emission mitigation strategies.

The integration of citizen-reported data (location, type, and intensity of odours), meteorological data, air quality indicators, and back-trajectory models enables a more comprehensive understanding of odour events. The ultimate goal is to identify the emission sources and compile long-term statistics and descriptive histories correlating perceived air quality with reported nuisances.


HOW DOES THE SYSTEM WORK?

The development and management of the NOSE WEB APP led to the creation of a free and anonymous application available on various devices. It enables citizens to report odour nuisances in real-time with georeferenced data. While registration is mandatory, it is designed to ensure the anonymity and privacy of users.

> Learn more about the WEB APP

When the number of reports exceeds a predefined threshold, the Alert System (NOSE ALERT) is activated, sending notifications to ARPA, which can then coordinate field activities. Simultaneously, the ODORPREP automatic samplers are triggered. The collected samples undergo chemical and olfactometric analyses to identify and quantify the presence of odorous compounds responsible for the nuisance.

Using the MOLOCH meteorological model, the system generates back-trajectories based on citizen reports, estimating the air masses’ path to trace potential emission sources. The system also integrates meteorological data from ARPA stations and ODORPREP samplers, as well as air quality data from local monitoring stations (with a focus on NMHC, H₂S, and C₆H₆).

All this information converges in the NOSE Dashboard, an interface dedicated to operators (ARPA and CNR) for real-time monitoring and analysis of reports, back-trajectories, and integrated data.

 

INVOLVED TERRITORIES

The territories currently involved in the NOSE project include several areas of Sicily, including the AERCAs (Areas at High Risk of Environmental Crisis), and selected zones within the Abruzzo Region.

Through its scientific and technological collaboration with partners such as CNR - Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerca, LabServise Analytica, Pollution Analytical Equipment, PROAMBIENTE is currently contributing to the deployment of the NOSE tool in other regional, national, and international areas, especially those hosting facilities with critical odour emission issues.

Attachments:
 Brochure NOSE - Network for Odour Sensitivity.pdf[ ]3794 kB
 Manuale Web App NOSE.pdf[ ]3306 kB