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 second presentation of the standard UNE 77270:2023 - Collaborative Odour Maps Construction through Citizen Science, published in October, was held on November 6th at Lleialtat Santsenca in Barcelona, was a resounding success. The event marked a historic moment as the first standard worldwide to incorporate citizen science as a methodological approach for monitoring odour impact was officially launched. Experts and community members who contributed to the development of this innovative standard gathered to celebrate this achievement. This event was recorded and can be watched here (provided you know a bit of Spanish)

   The audience at the event, consisting of both experts and the general public, witnessed the culmination of four years of dedicated work by the group behind the standard's development. The successful launch highlights the increasing recognition of citizen science as a valuable tool in environmental monitoring and governance. The incorporation of public participation in assessing odour pollution is a noteworthy step forward in fostering a collaborative and inclusive approach to addressing environmental challenges.