Industrial Composting, Odorous Emissions, and Health. Dr. Michael Schwandt, Medical Health Officer August 13, 2018 Delta City Council

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1 Industrial Composting, Odorous Emissions, and Health Dr. Michael Schwandt, Medical Health Officer August 13, 2018 Delta City Council

2 Outline Fraser Health introduction, public health background information Composting and odorous emissions Potential future steps

3 Outline Fraser Health introduction, public health background information Composting and odorous emissions Potential future steps

4 Fraser Health: Who we are Your regional health authority delivering health services to 1.8 million people Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley 12 acute care hospitals Over 26,000 staff, including a program in Population and Public Health

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6 Fraser Health: Who we are Our purpose: To improve the health of the population and the quality of life of the people we serve. Population and Public Health activities: Health protection, disease prevention, health promotion, and monitoring Health protection: to prevent, identify and address health hazards

7 Health hazards Defined health hazards can be addressed by regional health authorities under the Public Health Act and related regulations. Examples: Unsafe facilities (food premises, child care, residential care) Drinking water systems Contaminants effecting air, water, food, soil Public Health Act definition: (a) a condition, a thing or an activity that (i) endangers, or is likely to endanger, public health, or (ii) interferes, or is likely to interfere, with the suppression of infectious agents or hazardous agents, or (b) a prescribed condition, thing or activity, including a prescribed condition, thing or activity that (i) is associated with injury or illness, or (ii) fails to meet a prescribed standard in relation to health, injury or illness;

8 Outline Fraser Health introduction, public health background information Composting and odorous emissions Potential future steps

9 Composting and odorous emissions Many composting processes take places in conditions with a lack of oxygen ( anaerobic ) Anaerobic reactions may produce a variety of highly odorous compounds, in gaseous form: Sulphur compounds ( rotten egg odour) As well, composting of nitrogen-containing materials (e.g., grass and leaves) can produce ammonia odours

10 Compost odour emissions and health: Direct effects? Emissions from compost facilities are not expected to reach concentrations causing serious acute or long-term health effects in the surrounding residential communities Important note: The human sense of small can detect many odorous contaminants at levels far less than thresholds for serious toxic effects. For example, WHO indicates for H 2 S: Odour detection threshold: ~ 1 11 µg/m 3 ; vs. The lowest observable adverse effect level (LOAEL): ~ 1,500 µg/m 3 (eye irritation); and Serious eye damage at ~ 70,000 µg/m 3 Extreme variation exists in terms of individuals detection, perception and tolerance of odours

11 Compost odour emissions and health: Are there indirect effects? Compost odours are not classified as a health hazard and thus cannot be regulated under the Public Health Act. However, it is recognized that the presence of strong odours may limit enjoyment of outdoor environment. Potential barrier to physical activity Limited tolerance for odours entering through open windows (e.g., to cool homes overnight)

12 Outline Fraser Health introduction, public health background information Composting and odorous emissions Potential future steps

13 Current state and potential future steps Limited data currently available on the concentration of key air contaminants associated with industrial composting Opportunity for enhanced collection of data and ambient air quality monitoring by responsible municipal regulator (Metro Vancouver) Municipal authority exists to regulate emitters Metro Vancouver developing new approaches to management of odorous emissions, including permit processes.

14 Thank you