2. EFFECTS OF ODOUR

Odour affects human beings in a number of ways. Strong, unpleasant or offensive smells can interfere with a person’s enjoyment of life especially if they are frequent and/or persistent. Major factors relevant to perceived odour nuisance are:

• Offensiveness
• Duration of exposure to odour
• Frequency of odour occurrence
• Tolerance and expectation of the receptor

Though foul odour may not cause direct damage to health, toxic stimulants of odour may cause ill health or respiratory symptoms. Secondary effects, in some, may be nausea, insomnia and discomfort. Very strong odour can result in nasal irritation, trigger symptoms in individuals with breathing problems or asthma. On the economic front, loss of property value near odour causing operations/ industries and odorous environment is partly a consequence of offensive odour.