Published May 20, 2026 | Edition No. 1 | 24 pages | Copyright 2026 by AIHA®
This handbook is an illustrative appendix to AIHA's Odor Thresholds for Chemicals, 4th edition, published in 2024.
Description
In many workplace or community environments, nuisance odor complaints often prompt an investigation of the source and underlying causes to answer three important questions: (1) What is the source of the nuisance odor? (2) What specific chemical or biological agent(s) are causing the objectionable odor? (3) Does the concentration of odorous agents (chemical or biological) experienced by occupants pose a health risk to workers or members of the community?
IH/OEHS practitioners must often rely on trial and error or personal experiences to develop a strategy for investigating nuisance odors. This handbook seeks to address this gap in training by providing strategies and procedures for investigating nuisance odor complaints. IH/OEHS practitioners can apply these strategies to all types of workplace and community environments, regardless of whether the source is ultimately determined to pose a health risk.