Saturday, August 2, 2025
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  • Terms & Conditions
Environmental Magazine
Advertisement
  • Home
  • News
  • Climate Change
  • Energy
  • Recycling
  • Air
  • Fossil Fuels
  • Water
No Result
View All Result
Environmental Magazine
  • Home
  • News
  • Climate Change
  • Energy
  • Recycling
  • Air
  • Fossil Fuels
  • Water
No Result
View All Result
Environmental Magazine
No Result
View All Result
Home Air

Crowdsourced pong reports clarify urban air quality in Vancouver

August 13, 2024
in Air
A A

University of British Columbia researchers say they have uncovered surprising insights into the Vancouver region’s “smellscape” using data from the Smell Vancouver app. Analyzing 549 reports from one year of app data, they discovered that “rotten” and “chemical” odours dominated, making up about 65 per cent of submissions. These unpleasant smells were linked to self-reported health issues like headaches and anxiety, leading some residents to change their behaviours, like closing windows even in stifling-hot weather.

“The reports illustrate how odours can be more than just a nuisance—they can impact physical and mental health, well-being, and quality of life,” said Dr. Amanda Giang, senior study author and assistant professor in UBC’s department of mechanical engineering and the Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability.

The app identified major sources of urban odours, including waste management and industrial activities. Four municipalities—City of Vancouver, Delta, Burnaby and Richmond—emerged as hotspots, each with its own distinct smell profiles and associated symptoms. Reports from Vancouver overwhelmingly focused on animal processing, while Delta saw higher complaints about garbage and compost, farming and cannabis.

Crowdsourcing science
With more than 3,500 reports logged, the app showcases the power of “crowdsourced science” in offering a more detailed view of urban air quality.

“Traditional air quality measurements are limited by their fixed locations and set sampling intervals, often missing the rapid onsets and impacts of odours,” explained Dr. Sahil Bhandari, co-author and former postdoctoral researcher in UBC’s faculty of applied science. “In addition, smell experiences are highly personal—what’s unpleasant to some people may be acceptable to others – and often occur in areas where monitors aren’t located. All this creates information gaps that traditional systems can’t address.”

Dr. Bhandari highlighted an instance where the app detected a strong foul odour from a refinery incident ahead of official reports, underscoring its potential for timely public awareness and emergency response.

Broader and more diverse participation
Despite these insights, more public participation is needed – for example, the app mainly attracted white women aged 30 to 49 without chronic health conditions and men from the highest income bracket. The researchers’ future studies will aim for more representative reports to provide a fuller picture of urban smells and their impacts.

Dr. Naomi Zimmerman, co-author and assistant professor of mechanical engineering at UBC said: “Integrating crowdsourced data into urban planning and policy can enhance responses to unpleasant smells. The SmellVan project underscores the need for policies that address odour sources, their broader health impacts and the importance of including diverse community demographics and perspectives.”

The study was published in July in the journal Environmental Research: Health. To schedule interviews with the researchers, please contact [email protected]

ShareTweetSharePinSendShare

Related Articles

Air

Air filter mimics mucus-coated nasal hair

July 30, 2025
Air

Non-road machinery decarbonisation – operators share perspectives

July 23, 2025
Air

Ceremony opens the construction phase of Port Talbot EAF

July 16, 2025
Air

Report calls for ‘urgent, coordinated action’ by the Government to tackle air pollution

July 4, 2025
Air

Ships trigger high and unexpected emissions of methane

July 3, 2025
Air

Net zero planning platform to unlock investment in the West of England

June 25, 2025

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recommended

An Oil Company Executive Said the Energy Transition Has Failed. What’s Really Happening?

March 28, 2024

In California, a Push to Decommission Gas Lines in Low-Income Neighborhoods Moves Forward

June 22, 2025

Don't miss it

Fossil Fuels

BLM Calls New Oil and Gas Rules ‘Noncontroversial,’ Exempts Them From Public Comment

August 1, 2025
News

Landfill Tax reforms could trigger shortage of aggregates, says trade group

August 1, 2025
Fossil Fuels

EPA Delays Compliance with Methane Rule, Fulfilling Oil and Gas Industry’s Request

July 31, 2025
Energy

Solar and Batteries Lead US Power Plant Additions by a Lot. How Does This Square With the Trump Administration’s Agenda?

July 31, 2025
Fossil Fuels

The Biggest US LNG Exporter Is Claiming a Massive Tax Credit for Using Its Cargo as an ‘Alternative’ Fuel

July 31, 2025
Activism

New York Climate Activists Are a Key Part of Zohran Mamdani’s Mayoral Campaign

July 31, 2025
Environmental Magazine

Environmental Magazine, Latest News, Opinions, Analysis Environmental Magazine. Follow us for more news about Enviroment and climate change from all around the world.

Learn more

Sections

  • Activism
  • Air
  • Climate Change
  • Energy
  • Fossil Fuels
  • News
  • Uncategorized
  • Water

Topics

Activism Air Climate Change Energy Fossil Fuels News Uncategorized Water

Recent News

BLM Calls New Oil and Gas Rules ‘Noncontroversial,’ Exempts Them From Public Comment

August 1, 2025

Landfill Tax reforms could trigger shortage of aggregates, says trade group

August 1, 2025

© 2023 Environmental Magazine. All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Climate Change
  • Energy
  • Recycling
  • Air
  • Fossil Fuels
  • Water

© 2023 Environmental Magazine. All rights reserved.

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.