Anotec Odour Impact Assessment - Manufacturing In Alexandria

Anotec Pty Ltd PO Box 292 | BOTANY | 1455 Tel: (02) 9700 1222 | Fax: (02) 9700 1771 Email: [email protected]

Development Application Odour & Odour Control Assessment: Compliance Issue

Odour Impact Assessment February 2007

Table of Contents SITE DETAILS .................................................................................................................... 4 THE LOCALE ..................................................................................................................... 5 Alexandria NSW 2015................................................................................................. 5 ODOUR IMPACT ASSESSMENT...................................................................................... 8 LEVEL 1 ODOUR IMPACT ASSESSMENT FOR A NEW OR MODIFIED ACTIVITY ........................ 8 WALK-THOUGH ASSESSMENT (ODOURS)........................................................................... 9 Area 1: Production & Storage Area A......................................................................... 9 Area 2: Production & Storage Area B......................................................................... 9 LEVEL 1 ODOUR ASSESSMENT FOR POINT SOURCES AT THE COMPANY ........................... 10 LEVEL 1 ODOUR ASSESSMENT FOR DIFFUSE SOURCES AT THE COMPANY ........................ 10 REAL-TIME OLFACTOMETRY – ALEXANDRIA ........................................................... 11 ON-SITE ASSESSMENT ................................................................................................. 13 PROPOSED ACTIVITIES & EQUIPMENT: ............................................................................ 13 CONFIDENTIAL MATERIAL

WAREHOUSE / BUILDING(S)............................................................................................. 13 RECOMMENDATIONS .................................................................................................... 14 CONCLUSION .................................................................................................................. 15

Company Details

Anotec Pty Ltd (herein referred to as Anotec) is Environmental Consultants (Odours and Sanitation) involved in Odour Testing and Odour Control formulations for optimum Removal Efficiency.

Contact for Anotec : Mrs. Victoria Zavras Tel: (02) 9700 1222

Anotec Pty Ltd | 30-32 Chegwyn St | Botany | NSW | 2019 Tel: (02) 9700 1222 | Fax: (02) 9700 1771 | Email: [email protected]

Introduction Site Details: Tenant……….. ……………………….A Business Council: ………………………………. Sydney City Council Address:..…………………………….. Alexandria NSW 2015 Site Identification: : ………………… Omitted (private) Proposed Development: : ………… Production Plant and Warehouse Storage Fitout Development Application: ………… Private Industry Sector: ……………………. Products: manufacturing & marketing

Odour emissions from industries are a fairly common occurrence. A wide range of industrial activities are prone to odour “nuisance” which may impact the neighbouring community or pose an on-site problem. Anotec were commissioned to conduct a Level 11 Odour Impact Assessment based on the proposed activities by The Company Warehouse/ Office building

vehicular access to site

1

Level 1 is a screening-level technique based on generic parameters for the type of activity and site. It provides a broad estimate of the extent of any odour impact. It may be used to assess site suitability and odour mitigation measures for new or modified activities. Air Policy Section of the Department of Environment and Conservation (NSW).

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Anotec Pty Ltd | 30-32 Chegwyn St | Botany | NSW | 2019 Tel: (02) 9700 1222 | Fax: (02) 9700 1771 | Email: [email protected]

The Locale The Company premises are located in a predominantly industrial area and are part of an industrial complex. The Company is surrounded by businesses such as a smash repair/vehicle maintenance centre and others. The proposed development is located at the rear of a Street in Alexandria2. As mentioned, the surrounds are predominantly commercial and industrial and is a high traffic area. Area of Interest

Mechanical workshops

A neighbour

Commercial building

Figure 1. Site Plan. Citiplans Ref: xxxxx

Warehouses / Offices and Manufacturing complexes

Alexandria NSW 2015 Upon investigation and research, there do not seem to be any businesses similar to The Company located in the Alexandria area for comparative analysis. At this time, there are no known odour complaints registered with any local government authority regarding activities similar to The Company in New South Wales. The National Pollutant Inventory (NPI) has pollutant emissions from various industrial facility sources, and diffuse sources. Diffuse sources are from small facilities, transport and households.

2

Excerpt from Statement of Environmental Effects – 06/10/2006

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Anotec Pty Ltd | 30-32 Chegwyn St | Botany | NSW | 2019 Tel: (02) 9700 1222 | Fax: (02) 9700 1771 | Email: [email protected]

The following summary is from the NPI Database report and includes data for industrial facilities and diffuse sources for the 2005 - 2006 NPI reporting year for the suburb of Alexandria NSW 2015. 3

Below are the top selected diffuse sources of pollution (reportable) for Alexandria.

Glass & Glass Product Manufacturing 11%

Domestic / Commercial Solvents / Aerosols 14%

Lawn Mowing 10%

Basic Non-Ferrous Metal Manufacturing 20% All Others 25%

Motor Vehicles 20%

Motor Vehicles Substance Acetone Benzene Carbon monoxide Oxides of Nitrogen Particulate Matter 10.0 um 3

Air (kg/yr) 860 13,000 3,400,000 520,000 29,000

www.npi.gov.au

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Anotec Pty Ltd | 30-32 Chegwyn St | Botany | NSW | 2019 Tel: (02) 9700 1222 | Fax: (02) 9700 1771 | Email: [email protected]

Substance

Air (kg/yr)

Sulfur dioxide 20,000 Toluene (methylbenzene) 27,000 Total Volatile Organic Compounds 430,000 Xylenes (individual or mixed isomers) 27,000

Motor Vehicle Refinishing Substance Acetone Benzene Methyl ethyl ketone Methyl isobutyl ketone Toluene (methylbenzene) Total Volatile Organic Compounds Xylenes (individual or mixed isomers)

Air (kg/year) 330 0.48 1,100 150 1,800 9,100 1,400

Dry Cleaning Services Air (kg/year) Substance Tetrachloroethylene Toluene (methylbenzene) Total Volatile Organic Compounds Xylenes (individual or mixed isomers)

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1,400 0.15 1,400 5.3

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Anotec Pty Ltd | 30-32 Chegwyn St | Botany | NSW | 2019 Tel: (02) 9700 1222 | Fax: (02) 9700 1771 | Email: [email protected]

Odour Impact Assessment The Company is currently not active in any manufacturing processes onsite. Activities are limited to cleaning and the commissioning of various tools and equipment. All stored in-put materials are finished product that has been transported to the site for storage. IMPORTANT: Real-time olfactometry conducted in the Alexandria area and immediate surrounds to The Company revealed that a pre-existing low-level smell and ‘solvent type’ odour is prevalent in the area. Anotec surmise that these odours may be directly attributable to the various vehicle re-finishing, smash repairs. The odour was detected as being predominantly attributable to heavy vehicle & truck movements. Another identifieable and perceptible odour is benzene and diesel, again attributable to the high traffic area. Of note is that the odours are still prevalent in the evening. The latter may be due to the stationed trucks and the movement of overnight freight vehicles.

Level 1 Odour Impact Assessment for a new or modified activity Based solely on the nature of the proposed activities, it is Anotec’s opinion that a Level 1 assessment is sufficient to broadly identify whether the site is suitable or if further assessment of odour impact will be necessary or worthwhile. Anotec do not believe that a more rigorous level of assessment is warranted at this time.

The walk-through assessment revealed the following: Meteorological Conditions – Temperature: Wind Direction: Humidity

250C at 11.30 am SE, moderate Overcast with light rain. 65%

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Anotec Pty Ltd | 30-32 Chegwyn St | Botany | NSW | 2019 Tel: (02) 9700 1222 | Fax: (02) 9700 1771 | Email: [email protected]

Walk-though Assessment (Odours)

Not part of The Company proposed operations

A

B

Figure 2. Site Plan. Citiplans Area Assessed (walk through)

Area 1: Production & Storage Area A Upon entering area A, Anotec observed a storage/mixing tank, a piece of equipment with stored material identified as the xxxxx production System and other production machinery. The floor in Area A is clean and free of debris. A typical low-level “smell” odour was detected in this area attributable to the stored finished product received into the warehouse. This odour is deemed “normal” for this industry. No odour was observed outside Area A.

Area 2: Production & Storage Area B This area contains rows of pallet racking designed to house and store finished input materials for use in the production of The Company products. Area B is well-lit and free of debris. Again, a typical low-level odour was detected in this area.

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Anotec Pty Ltd | 30-32 Chegwyn St | Botany | NSW | 2019 Tel: (02) 9700 1222 | Fax: (02) 9700 1771 | Email: [email protected]

Level 1 odour assessment for point sources at The Company Generally, point sources are usually dominated by stack emissions of odour. The Company does not have any stacks or mechanical ventilation systems as their operational activities do not require the installation of such pollution control device(s).

Level 1 odour assessment for diffuse sources at The Company “Diffuse sources” are generally dominated by odour emissions from area sources, which are difficult to control compared to point source emissions. The odour impacts from these sources are most effectively managed through careful site selection, appropriate project design, site layout and sound management practices. The Level 1 odour impact assessment for diffuse sources at The Company takes into account the following factors: • • • • • •

Type of operation Size of operation Density of population likely to be impacted Local topography Local meteorology Possibility of cumulative impacts

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Anotec Pty Ltd | 30-32 Chegwyn St | Botany | NSW | 2019 Tel: (02) 9700 1222 | Fax: (02) 9700 1771 | Email: [email protected]

Real-Time Olfactometry – Alexandria Dilution to Threshold Olfactometry was conducted with a 500-metre radius of The Company site. It was not deemed worthwhile going any further than this distance as there are no emission points from The Company that will travel that far (there are no stack emissions or vents). The area is densely populated with commercial and industrial facilities and is a high traffic area. As mentioned earlier, there seems to be a preexisting low-level odour identifiable as ‘xxxxx and xxxxx in nature in the immediate surrounds to The Company.

FIELD OLFACTOMETRY Equipment

The Nasal Ranger is a hand-held instrument that measures odour. By diluting the odour source and with a calibrated flow rate, the Nasal Ranger operator can objectively determine the odour's strength.

Anotec have been conducting field or real-time olfactometry using the Nasal Ranger® since 2003 and were trained by Mr. Chuck McGinley of St. Croix Sensory Odor School (USA). A Nasal Ranger® Field Olfactometer creates a calibrated series of discrete dilutions by mixing the odorous ambient air with odour-free (carbon) filtered air. Field olfactometry defines each discrete dilution level as a “Dilution-to-Threshold,” D/T, ratio. The “Dilutionto-Threshold” ratio is a measure of the number of dilutions needed to make the odorous ambient air “non-detectable”. Field olfactometry is a cost effective means to quantify odour strength in terms of “Dilution-to-Threshold” (D/T) ratios. To date, Anotec believe this is the most effective and accurate instrument that can confidently measure odour strength at specific locations around a facility’s property line and within the community – “real” time.4

4

Information from Operations Manual Nasal Ranger® (St. Croix Sensory 2005)

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Anotec Pty Ltd | 30-32 Chegwyn St | Botany | NSW | 2019 Tel: (02) 9700 1222 | Fax: (02) 9700 1771 | Email: [email protected]

Field olfactometry calculates the “Dilution-to-Threshold” (D/T) ratio as:

D/T =

Volume of Carbon-Filtered Air --------------------------------------Volume of Odorous Air

Odour filter for odour-free dilution air Nasal Mask

Field Olfactometry was conducted

Dates:

Times on each date:

1 February 2007 2 February 2007 5 February 2007

9.30 am 3.30 pm 10.30 pm

Furthest Point from Site Assessed (within 500m) North: Corner of Collins & O’Riordan Streets South: Bradford & Birmingham Streets West: Bourke Street East: Dunning Avenue Various odours detected and identified in the areas assessed – mainly vehicle exhaust fumes and odours. Solvent-like odours with a hint of xxxxx mixed in were detected that Anotec believe originate from the various motor vehicle refinishing businesses scattered throughout the area. Anotec do not believe any of these odours are as a direct result of The Company operations. Based on these Level 1 observations, it is Anotec’s opinion that The Company would not contribute to any odour emissions within the 500-metres or beyond assessed in any significant or identifiable way.

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Anotec Pty Ltd | 30-32 Chegwyn St | Botany | NSW | 2019 Tel: (02) 9700 1222 | Fax: (02) 9700 1771 | Email: [email protected]

On-Site Assessment Based solely on communication with XXXX, responses to questions from The Company and Anotec’s site visitation on 31 January 2007, the processes proposed by The Company do not involve the generation of any heat or liberation of volatile materials, hence negating the necessity of any pollution control devices such as stacks or mechanical exhaust system(s).

Proposed Activities & Equipment:

COMMERCIAL-IN-CONFIDENCE

Warehouse / Building(s) Both ‘buildings’ assessed lack any form of natural ventilation and, in Anotec’s opinion, both buildings may become increasing hot indoors during warm or hot weather. Storage of finished input materials at this time may exude a “normal” XXXX-like odour that may have the potential of being perceived outdoors due to any increase of temperature in the buildings – especially if roller doors or other points of egress are opened. Any issue of dust may also contribute, albeit in a small way, to any potential odours outside the buildings. Although any odours from The Company’s activities have the potential to impact in the immediate vicinity – that is, in the car park area – it was observed that those odours do not “pool” in that area. It was observed that during a moderate breeze, any odours are “swept” away and diluted via a “channel” alongside the northern end of the building – namely the exit route from the site onto O’Riordan Street. Of interest are the activities of the mechanical workshops located adjacent to The Company. Solvent-like odours were detected on 31 January 2007 that traversed the boundary between The Company and the premises identified only as “xxxxx St”. Although low in olfactometry (4 OU D/T), the odour may also be confused as originating from The Company and, in Anotec’s opinion, may have an additive effect on any odours that may potentially escape The Company warehouse. Anotec’s hypothesis is that, if any odours that are predominately xxxx-like escape the Company plant mix with any odours from the mechanical workshop(s), chances are that the casual observer will mistakenly pinpoint The Company as the originating source. On what Anotec

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Anotec Pty Ltd | 30-32 Chegwyn St | Botany | NSW | 2019 Tel: (02) 9700 1222 | Fax: (02) 9700 1771 | Email: [email protected]

understands, The Company are in the process of considering the upgrade to the boundary fence. An upgrade to the fence will assist in deflecting any odorous emissions from neighbouring businesses onto the Company property thus significantly minimising the assumed additive effect such emissions may have. The purpose of the fence is to create a windbreak. In any case, any odours from The Company building will be low-level and, at this time, is not deemed to constitute any odour nuisance in the area. Having said this, it stands to reason that The Company may have the potential to create an odour nuisance in the immediate area as they become fully operational and Anotec recommend the following to mitigate any such eventuality for consideration by The Company’s management team.

Recommendations It should be noted, Anotec observed that The Company have a high level of housekeeping procedures in place that ensures that the warehouse floors (production and storage) are well-kept and free of debris. The Company has bunding for areas that create dropping of any xxxxxx. Anotec did not observe any dust emissions and this does not negate the necessity of conducting a thorough study into dust emissions due to the nature of the business. Anotec are not equipped to supply such a service. The following are recommended suggestions: 1. Consider the installation of “whirly-birds” along the roof-line to assist in the exhaust of any hot air rising in the building 2. Consider installing industrial fans (oscillating) to disperse indoor air throughout the builsing and out the suggested ventilation in the ceiling(s). 3. Consider housing at least two Emergency reposnse Units for Odour that can be positiononed to treat any extraordinary event that may generate an odour – eg. Leak or spillage etc. Portable odour response units can be in the form of industrial fans fitted with atomizing nozzles or fogging apparatus configured to emit a 10µ mist contaiing an odour suppressant or similar, formulated for the Company property. 4. Not Applicable at this time: However, although not necessary or scientifically justifiable at this time, Anotec suggests that if The Company operates outside the scope of the propsed DA and lodge any amendment to the said DA that includes or involves the incorporation of any major change in operations or processes that generate heat or use highly volatile material in any cold mix, then it is suggested that The Company investigate the viability of enclosing such processes and incorporating air-curtains to mitigate any fugitive odour emissions from such process(es).

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Anotec Pty Ltd | 30-32 Chegwyn St | Botany | NSW | 2019 Tel: (02) 9700 1222 | Fax: (02) 9700 1771 | Email: [email protected]

Conclusion Although The Company has the potential to create low-level odours (2 OU D/T – 4 OU D/T), The pre-existing ‘xxxxxx’ odours may have an additive effect if traversing the boundary into The Company premises. In any case, based on real-time olfactometry and careful consideration of all the propsed processes and activities at xxxxxx Street, Alexandria, Anotec do not believe that The Company will be impacting on the community regarding odour in any major or significant way. Any low-level odours can be successfully addressed by exploring the use of oscillating industrial fans (for cooling and containment of fugitive emissions fro the building and the inclusion of a portable emergency response unit for the control of any odours (fogging or misting type) if deemed necessary. In conclusion, in Anotec’s opinion, the proposed development and management practices as described by The Company and as assessed by Anotec Pty Ltd, are at this time sufficient to prevent any odour annoyance.

Victoria Zavras Managing Director 9 February 2007

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Anotec Pty Ltd | 30-32 Chegwyn St | Botany | NSW | 2019 Tel: (02) 9700 1222 | Fax: (02) 9700 1771 | Email: [email protected]

References Agapides, N. & Welchman, S. 2000, ‘Are all odour performance criteria the same?’ Proceedings of the Enviro 2000 – towards sustainability: odour conference, Clean Air Society of Australia & New Zealand, Sydney, NSW, 9–13 April 2000. Bardsley, T. & Demetriou, J. 1997, ‘Odour measurements that don’t stink’, Proceedings of the national workshop on odour measurement standardisation, Centre for Water and Waste Technology, Sydney, NSW, 20–22 August 1997, pp. 46–52. Clean Air Society of Australia and New Zealand Inc. 1995, Odour special interest group workshop – policy, regulation & measurement. Clean Air Society of Australia and New Zealand Inc.1998, ‘Workshop position paper’, Clean Air, Odour Special Interest Group 2nd National Odour Workshop, 2–3 March 1998, Cape Schank, Victoria, Volume 32, No. 3, August 1998. NSW Environment Protection Authority, 2005b, Approved methods for the sampling and analysis of air pollutants in New South Wales. NSW Environment Protection Authority and Sydney Water, 1994, Procedures for dynamic olfactometry (draft), Sydney. NSW, Parliament, Clean Air (Plant and Equipment) Regulation 1997 NSW Parliament, Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 Standards Australia 2001, Australian/New Zealand standard, stationary source emissions, part 3: determination of odour concentration by dynamic olfactometry, AS/NZS 4323.3:2001. Verrall, K. 1997, Review of the technical basis of the odour-design goal for new developments, Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage, Brisbane. WA Environment Protection Authority 1999, Guidance statement for assessment of odour impacts from new proposals (draft), EPA guidance statement No. 47, Perth.

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