Substances with annoying or irritant odour
A substance with annoying odour means a substance or mixture of substances as a result of human activity emitted into the ambient air.
Sensation of odour is caused by odoriferous substances in the air. Sensation of odour is very subjective, and different people perceive different odours differently. Odour is often a mixture of different individual substances.
In Estonia, a limit value for odour has been set, a disturbance level of odoriferous substance, which is frequency-based. For example, using the standard 886-EVS (i.e. the most commonly used method), the disturbance level of odoriferous substance at the receiver is 15% of the annual odour hours. The nature and strength of the odour is not assessed here.
IF THERE IS A DISTURBING ODOUR, PLEASE INFORM THE STATE HELPLINE AT 1247. HEREBY IT IS IMPORTANT TO POINT OUT THAT THE PRESENCE OF ODOUR DOES NOT ALWAYS MEAN A DIRECT RISK TO HEALTH.
Whether the norm established for odoriferous substances is exceeded is determined by an expert group, set up for this purpose, by means of internationally recognised methods. If this circumstance is established, the possessor of an emission source must prepare and submit a plan for reducing the presence of odoriferous substances to the Environmental Board for approval. The implementation of the plan is checked by the Environmental Board.
A plan for reducing the presence of the odoriferous substance and preparation of the plan
A plan for reducing the presence of odoriferous substances must include:
- Description of the areas of activity and emission sources causing the emission of odoriferous substances
- Information on the population density of the area surrounding the installation and the distance of habitation from the production area of the installation
- List of the measures for reducing the presence of odoriferous substances implemented in the installation before preparation of the plan and additional measures planned, including an assessment concerning the compliance of the installation with the best available techniques or the possibility to implement additional measures arising from the developments in the best available techniques
- Calculation of the reduction of the emissions of odoriferous substances achieved after the implementation of the measures by emission sources expressed in odour units and calculation result of the reduction of the presence of odoriferous substances in the ambient air
- The cost of the measures
- Information concerning the persons who implement the measures
- Terms for implementation of the measures and terms for checking the efficiency of the measures implemented
- Terms for submission of a report or reports on implementation of the plan to the Environmental Board.
THE MEASURES ESTABLISHED BY THE PLAN MUST ENSURE A DECREASE IN THE QUANTITIES OF ODORIFEROUS SUBSTANCES AND IN EXCERTION, SPREADING OF ODOUR AND IRRITATING PERCEPTION OF ODOUR TO THE POPULATION.
Environmental noise
Environmental noise means unwanted or harmful outdoor sound created by human activities. It is created by stationary or mobile sources, including means of transport, road, rail and air traffic, outdoor equipment.
The Environmental Board focuses on industrial noise, traffic noise is assessed by the Health Board, who is also the competent supervisory authority for noise. Noise-related complaints should be addressed to the Health Board. If the Health Board conducts audit measurement tests for verifying noise levels based on complaints and the results of the tests indicate that the standard noise levels have been exceeded, the possessor of a noise source shall pay for the tests. Otherwise, the Health Board shall pay.
The normative levels of noise have been defined as follows:
- Limit value of noise – the maximum permitted level of noise. Exceeding the limit value causes environmental nuisance and it requires enforcement of reduction measures.
- Target value of noise – the maximum permitted level of noise in new comprehensive plan areas that is ensured by the party interested in a spatial plan.
Environmental noise map shall be prepared for noise sources causing significant noise nuisance and for the noise spreading therefrom to the surrounding area. Preparation of an environmental noise map of the administrative territory of the local government is organized by the local government in cooperation with the possessor of the noise source. The local government submits a noise map and a plan for noise reduction to the Health Board for information.
Strategic environmental noise map is a map that provides a general assessment of the noise levels created by a densely populated area or main road, main railway and main airport, or provides a general forecast of the noise levels in that area. Strategic environmental noise map is the basis for an action plan for the reduction of noise. A local government body of a densely populated area prepares a strategic environmental noise map of the densely populated area and submits it to the Health Board and the Ministry of the Environment for information.
Last updated: 01.12.2022
